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#1319 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

5.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Indiana schools

#1,319 of 1,823

In Gary

#6 of 21

public schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Steel City Academy

5.2/10

School in Gary · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Repairer of the Breach Ministries (d211)

Nearby

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School

4.8/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Steel City Academy

Steel City Academy is a public school in Gary, IN, part of Steel City Academy. Steel City Academy serves approximately 317 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Steel City Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,319 of 1,823 schools in IN.

Structured state assessment records for Steel City Academy show 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts below IN schools
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • IN avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Steel City Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Steel City Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

60% of students at Steel City Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.7% (2025 ILEARN)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.9% (2025 ILEARN)
Math vs. State Avg-44.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.3 pts
Overall Proficiency14% (2025 ILEARN, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2025 ILEARN)
vs. Expected-16.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness3.7Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate54.5%
AP Participation10.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,808
Chronic Absenteeism60.3%

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% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
42.1% (2025 ILEARN)
ELA Proficiency 25.3% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
40.6% (2025 ILEARN)

Based on 30 test records from IN state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
7%
ELA
38%
2018
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
32%
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: 9.8/10.

How Steel City Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
28th percentile in IN
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.8/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Sports
3
1 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.3%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics3sports offered
1 boys'·2 girls'·2 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary (rated 6.0/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Gary Lighthouse Charter School (rated 5.6/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy (rated 4.7/10, 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 4.8
Excel Center - Gary Gary 1.4 mi 2.6
Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary 1.8 mi 1.8
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gary 2.1 mi 6.8
Beveridge Elementary School Gary 2.3 mi 3.0
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Gary 1.9 mi
Glen Park Acad for Excel in Lrn Gary 2.4 mi 1.7
Calumet New Tech High School Gary 2.1 mi 5.8
Aspire Charter Academy Gary 2.6 mi 6.7
Longfellow New Tech Elementary Sch Gary 2.5 mi 3.1
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Gary 3.1 mi 4.7
Edgar L Miller Elementary School Merrillville 3.2 mi 4.8
Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary 3.1 mi 5.6
Bailly Middle School Gary 2.8 mi 5.0
MY SAFARI PREPARATORY ACADEMY GEORGIA ST. CAMPUS Gary 2.9 mi
Merrillville Intermediate School Merrillville 3.4 mi 6.0
Higher Institute of Arts & Tech Merrillville 3.4 mi 6.5
West Side Leadership Academy Gary 3.2 mi 5.9
21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary 3.4 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Studebaker Center South Bend, IN 5.1
TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martinsville, IN 5.4
Elkhart Alternative Education Elkhart, IN 4.9
Cannelton Elementary & High School Cannelton, IN 5.6
Indiana School For The Deaf Indianapolis, IN 4.8
Fort Wayne Virtual Academy Fort Wayne, IN 5.7

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 ranks #1,319 of 1,823 schools in IN.

What is Steel City Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Steel City Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Steel City Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Steel City Academy has 6% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

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

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.3%
4-Year Graduation
54.5%

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

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