Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Gary, IN (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Gary Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 22 public schools serving 11,157 students in Gary, IN (there are 4 private schools, serving 527 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Gary, IN are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Gary, IN are Aspire Charter Academy, Longfellow New Tech Elementary School and Calumet New Tech High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Gary, IN public schools have an average math proficiency score of 8% (versus the Indiana public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 14% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Gary have an average ranking of 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Indiana public schools.
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public school average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Best Public Schools in Gary, IN (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Aspire Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4900 W 15th Ave
Gary, IN 46406
(219) 944-7400
Gr: K-8 | 684 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #22.
Longfellow New Tech Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
45th/calhoun Sts
Gary, IN 46408
(219) 923-7004
Gr: K-4 | 483 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #33.
Calumet New Tech High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3900 Calhoun St
Gary, IN 46408
(219) 838-6990
Gr: 9-12 | 620 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #44.
Gary Middle College
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
131 East 5th Ave
Gary, IN 46402
(219) 888-7120
Gr: 9-12 | 202 students Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #55.
Banneker Elementary At Marquette
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6401 Hemlock Ave
Gary, IN 46403
(219) 321-8545
Gr: K-5 | 293 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #66.
Gary Virtual Academy
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1800 E 35th Ave
Gary, IN 46409
(219) 881-5466
Gr: K-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #77.
Gary Lighthouse Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
725 Clark Road
Gary, IN 46406
(219) 977-9583
Gr: K-12 | 1,138 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
21st Century Charter School Of Gary
Charter School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
556 Washington St
Gary, IN 46402
(219) 886-9339
Gr: K-12 | 1,180 students Student-teacher ratio: 118:1
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
Daniel Hale Williams Elementary School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1320 E 19th Ave
Gary, IN 46407
(219) 881-3600
Gr: K-5 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
Frankie Woods Mccullough Academy
(Math: 8% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1110 W 21st Ave
Gary, IN 46407
(219) 944-7301
Gr: PK-5 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #8 - 118. - 11.
Thea Bowman Leadership Academy
Charter School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 12%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3401 W 5th Ave
Gary, IN 46406
(219) 944-3100
Gr: K-12 | 773 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #1212.
Lake Ridge New Tech Middle School
(Math: 7% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3601 W 41st Ave
Gary, IN 46408
(219) 980-0730
Gr: 5-8 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1313.
Steel City Academy
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
2650 W 35th Avenue
Gary, IN 46408
(219) 750-1010
Gr: K-12 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1414.
Gary Middle School
(Math: 2% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Parke St
Gary, IN 46403
(219) 321-8547
Gr: 6-8 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1515.
West Side Leadership Academy
(Math: 3% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
9th & Gerry St
Gary, IN 46406
(219) 413-9870
Gr: 9-12 | 1,232 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Beveridge Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1234 Cleveland St
Gary, IN 46404
(219) 321-8546
Gr: K-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
Rank: #1717.
Bailly Middle School
(Math: 4% | Reading: 11%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4621 Georgia St
Gary, IN 46409
(219) 980-6326
Gr: 6-8 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1818.
Glen Park Academy For Excel In Learning
(Math: 4% | Reading: 9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5002 Madison St
Gary, IN 46408
(219) 318-2800
Gr: K-5 | 566 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1919.
Charter School Of The Dunes
Charter School
(Math: 6% | Reading: 7%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
7300 East Melton Rd
Gary, IN 46403
(219) 939-9690
Gr: PK-8 | 836 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: n/an/a
Excel Center - Gary
Charter School
4610 W Ridge Road
Gary, IN 46408
(219) 789-5236
Gr: 9-12 | 125 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: n/an/a
Gary Career Center
Vocational School
1800 E 35th Ave
Gary, IN 46409
(219) 962-7571
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Mary M Bethune Early Child Dev Center
2367 E 21st Ave
Gary, IN 46407
(219) 886-6542
Gr: PK-K | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 99%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Gary, IN?
The top-ranked public schools in Gary, IN include Aspire Charter Academy, Longfellow New Tech Elementary School and Calumet New Tech High School.
How many public schools are located in Gary?
22 public schools are located in Gary.
What percentage of students in Gary go to public school?
96% of all K-12 students in Gary are educated in public schools (compared to the IN state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Gary?
Gary public schools minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public schools average of 38% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Which public schools in Gary are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (IN):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 Uniforms: The Pros and Cons
Uniforms: The Pros and Cons

More Articles

Opinion
Scholarships
Public School Jobs
Evaluating Public Schools
Teaching