Skip to main content

Average

#1133 of 1,823 schools in IN

Steel City Academy

School · Steel City Academy

2650 W 35th Avenue, Gary, IN 46408

Charter

Enrollment

317

Student-Teacher

15.1:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Gary

#6 of 21

public schools

Indiana schools

#25 of 58

Academic growth

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Steel City Academy

Steel City Academy is a charter school located in Gary, Indiana, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 317 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.1:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse student body. Located on W 35th Avenue, Steel City Academy operates with 21 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support each child's learning journey.

While the academic performance is currently rated at 4.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranked #1488 out of 1831 schools in Indiana (19th percentile), there are opportunities for growth and improvement, especially in ELA/Reading, Math, and Science proficiency rates which stand at 16%, 3%, and 0% respectively. The school is committed to fostering a supportive environment that encourages student development and academic progress. Steel City Academy sits within a large suburban area of Gary, offering its students the advantages of a close-knit community setting while providing access to various resources and opportunities in the surrounding neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Steel City Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Steel City Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.0Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+0.71 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9%
Math vs. State Avg-44.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency14%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-16.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,328

Steel City Academy — Students at Steel City Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 6.4%
School
State
42.1%
ELA Proficiency 23.3%
School
State
40.6%

Based on 22 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
2.5%
2025
Math
7.4%
ELA
22.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.0/10.

How Steel City Academy Compares

See how Steel City Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in IN
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
9.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

2650 W 35th Avenue, Gary, IN 46408

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Steel City Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. Gary Lighthouse Charter School (rated 7.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary (rated 7.3/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy (rated 5.4/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Gary, see our Gary schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary 0.7 mi
Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary 1.1 mi 4.4
Excel Center - Gary Gary 1.4 mi 5.3
Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary 1.8 mi 4.2
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gary 2.1 mi 6.8
Beveridge Elementary School Gary 2.3 mi 5.7
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Gary 1.9 mi
Glen Park Acad for Excel in Lrn Gary 2.4 mi 5.1
Calumet New Tech High School Gary 2.1 mi 5.3
Aspire Charter Academy Gary 2.6 mi 6.9
Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary 2.5 mi 3.7
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Gary 3.1 mi 5.4
Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville 3.2 mi 4.4
Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary 3.1 mi 7.5
Bailly Middle School Gary 2.8 mi 3.6
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary 2.9 mi
Merrillville Intermediate School Merrillville 3.4 mi 4.9
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Merrillville 3.4 mi 5.3
West Side Leadership Academy Gary 3.2 mi 5.2
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary 3.4 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 46408 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,063

Median Home Value

$96,200

Median Rent

$1,016/mo

Population

15,571

College Educated

12.2%

Homeownership

60.3%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

29.8%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Steel City Academy has a median household income of $47,063. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $96,200, with a median rent of $1,016/month. The area has a poverty rate of 29.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Irvington Preparatory Academy Indianapolis, IN 5.6
CALVARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis, IN 6.1
CROSSPOINTE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Indianapolis, IN 6.1
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martinsville, IN 5.4
Fort Wayne Virtual Academy Fort Wayne, IN 6.3
PROTESTANT REFORMED/HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Dyer, IN 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Steel City Academy

What grades does Steel City Academy serve?

Steel City Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Steel City Academy?

Steel City Academy has an enrollment of approximately 317 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Steel City Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Steel City Academy is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Steel City Academy rank in IN?

Steel City Academy is ranked #1133 out of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Steel City Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Steel City Academy has a composite rating of 5.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Steel City Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Steel City Academy has 6.4% math proficiency and 23.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Steel City Academy a charter school?

Yes, Steel City Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Steel City Academy a Title I school?

No, Steel City Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Steel City Academy?

66.9% of students at Steel City Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (45/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
317
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Steel City Academy
District Enrollment
317
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,808
District Rank
#1 of 1

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.