Below Average
#1466 of 1,823 schools in IN
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
School · Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
3401 W 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46406
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
4.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Indiana schools
#1,466 of 1,823
In Gary
#10 of 21
public schools
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Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
School in Gary · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gary Lighthouse Charter School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Aspire Charter Academy
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy is a public school in Gary, IN, part of Thea Bowman Leadership Academy. Thea Bowman Leadership Academy serves approximately 849 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,466 of 1,823 schools in IN.
Structured state assessment records for Thea Bowman Leadership Academy show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.7 · Below Average
- IN avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Thea Bowman Leadership 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.
30% of students at Thea Bowman Leadership 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 metricsView breakdown
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Thea Bowman Leadership Academy — Students at Thea Bowman Leadership Academy score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores IN ILEARN (2024-25)
Based on 44 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.1/10.
How Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Compares
See how Thea Bowman Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3401 W 5th Ave, Gary, IN 46406
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thea Bowman Leadership Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary (rated 6.0/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gary Lighthouse Charter School (rated 5.6/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Steel City Academy (rated 5.2/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Gary, see our Gary schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Aspire Charter Academy Gary | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary | 1.4 mi | 1.8 |
| Beveridge Elementary School Gary | 1.3 mi | 3.0 |
| West Side Leadership Academy Gary | 1.4 mi | 5.9 |
| 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Steel City Academy Gary | 3.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Gary Middle College Gary | 2.5 mi | 3.0 |
| Excel Center - Gary Gary | 3.6 mi | 2.6 |
| REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary | 3.7 mi | — |
| Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary | 4.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Morton Senior High School Hammond | 3.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Calumet New Tech High School Gary | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond | 3.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Excel Center - Hammond Hammond | 3.3 mi | 2.4 |
| Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond | 3.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Joseph Block Middle School East Chicago | 3.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary | 3.5 mi | 1.7 |
| Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond | 3.4 mi | 5.2 |
| George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago | 3.8 mi | 2.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 46406 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,631
Median Home Value
$86,300
Median Rent
$972/mo
Population
8,513
College Educated
8.6%
Homeownership
46.9%
Avg Commute
25.8 min
Poverty Rate
34.8%
Median Age
32.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Bosse High School Evansville, IN | 5.0 |
| Anderson Preparatory Academy Anderson, IN | 5.2 |
| IN Math & Science Academy - North Indianapolis, IN | 4.0 |
| BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN | 5.5 |
| Gary Lighthouse Charter School Gary, IN | 5.6 |
| Dugger Union Community School Corp Dugger, IN | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
What grades does Thea Bowman Leadership Academy serve?
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Thea Bowman Leadership Academy?
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has an enrollment of approximately 849 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thea Bowman Leadership Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Thea Bowman Leadership Academy is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thea Bowman Leadership Academy rank in IN?
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy ranks #1,466 of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Thea Bowman Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 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 Thea Bowman Leadership Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Thea Bowman Leadership Academy a charter school?
Yes, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Thea Bowman Leadership Academy a Title I school?
No, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thea Bowman Leadership Academy?
74.1% of students at Thea Bowman Leadership 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 849
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.3%
- Phone
- (219) 944-3100
- 4-Year Graduation
- 77.0%
Resources & Links
District
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy- District Enrollment
- 849
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,755
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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