Average
#1287 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
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
849
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gary
#8 of 21
public schools
Indiana schools
#34 of 58
About Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy is a public charter school serving kindergarten through 12th grade in Gary, Indiana. With an enrollment of 849 students and 48 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1. The school is currently working through significant academic challenges.
Statewide, it ranks in the bottom tier of Indiana schools, with proficiency rates well below state averages across core subjects. In English language arts and reading, 14% of students tested as proficient or above, while only 6% demonstrated proficiency in mathematics. Science proficiency stands at 0%, indicating this is an area requiring substantial instructional focus and support.
These results reflect a school with considerable room for academic growth and development. For families considering enrollment, it's important to understand that Thea Bowman is navigating meaningful educational obstacles that will likely influence your child's learning experience. Parents may want to have detailed conversations with school leadership about improvement initiatives, teaching strategies, and support systems currently in place to help students build foundational skills.
Located in a large suburban area of Lake County, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy continues to serve its Gary community as it works toward stronger academic outcomes.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Thea Bowman Leadership 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.
Thea Bowman Leadership 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 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 22 test records from IN state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Thea Bowman Leadership Academy Compares
See how Thea Bowman Leadership Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 13% (2019) to 11.14% (2025). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 28% (2019) to 17.65% (2025).
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. Gary Lighthouse Charter School (rated 7.5/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary (rated 7.3/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Steel City Academy (rated 5.8/10, 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 | 7.5 |
| Aspire Charter Academy Gary | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Frankie Woods McCullough Academy Gary | 1.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Beveridge Elementary School Gary | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| West Side Leadership Academy Gary | 1.4 mi | 5.2 |
| 21st Century Charter Sch of Gary Gary | 2.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Steel City Academy Gary | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Gary Middle College Gary | 2.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Excel Center - Gary Gary | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| REPAIRER OF THE BREACH MINISTRIES (D211) Gary | 3.7 mi | — |
| Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School Gary | 4.0 mi | 4.4 |
| Morton Senior High School Hammond | 3.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Calumet New Tech High School Gary | 3.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Charles N Scott Middle School Hammond | 3.2 mi | 3.3 |
| Excel Center - Hammond Hammond | 3.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Joseph Hess Elementary School Hammond | 3.5 mi | 2.7 |
| Joseph Block Middle School East Chicago | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Daniel Hale Williams Elem Sch Gary | 3.5 mi | 5.0 |
| Warren G Harding Elementary School Hammond | 3.4 mi | 4.9 |
| George Washington Elementary Sch East Chicago | 3.8 mi | 5.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has a median household income of $35,631. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $86,300, with a median rent of $972/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.8%, 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 |
|---|---|
| BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fort Wayne, IN | 5.5 |
| Anderson Preparatory Academy Anderson, IN | 5.3 |
| Benjamin Bosse High School Evansville, IN | 5.7 |
| Burris Laboratory School Muncie, IN | 5.1 |
| IN Math & Science Academy - North Indianapolis, IN | 5.0 |
| SUBURBAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Indianapolis, IN | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1287 out of 1,823 schools in IN.
What is Thea Bowman Leadership Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Thea Bowman Leadership Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thea Bowman Leadership Academy has 10.2% math proficiency and 18.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- 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
- 849
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 48
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lake County
- Phone
- (219) 944-3100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy- District Enrollment
- 849
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,755
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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