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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lake County Public Charter Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public charter schools serving 6,818 students in Lake County, IN.
The top-ranked public charter schools in Lake County, IN are Hammond Academy Of Science & Technical, Aspire Charter Academy and East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lake County, IN public charter schools have an average math proficiency score of 11% (versus the Indiana public charter school average of 20%), and reading proficiency score of 17% (versus the 26% statewide average). Charter schools in Lake County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Indiana public charter schools.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public charter school average of 69% (majority Black).

Best Public Charter Schools in Lake County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Hammond Academy Of Science & Technical
Charter School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
33 Muenich Ct
Hammond, IN 46320
(219) 852-0500
Gr: 6-12 | 578 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 92%
Rank: #22.
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: #33.
East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy
Charter School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1402 E Chicago Ave
East Chicago, IN 46312
(219) 392-3650
Gr: K-8 | 424 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
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.
East Chicago Lighthouse
Charter School
(Math: 10% | Reading: 14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
3916 Pulaski
East Chicago, IN 46312
(219) 378-7450
Gr: K-8 | 495 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #66.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #7 - 87. - 8.
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: #9 - 109. - 10.
Higher Institute Of Arts & Technical
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
5861 Harrison Street
Merrillville, IN 46410
(219) 359-1522
Gr: K-8 | 259 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Rank: #9 - 109. - 10.
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: #1111.
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
Excel Center - Hammond
Charter School
3438 169th Street
Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 844-1911
Gr: 9-12 | 205 students Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 88%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public charter schools in Lake County, IN?
The top-ranked public charter schools in Lake County, IN include Hammond Academy Of Science & Technical, Aspire Charter Academy and East Chicago Urban Enterprise Academy.
How many public charter schools are located in Lake County?
13 public charter schools are located in Lake County.
What is the racial composition of students in Lake County?
Lake County public charter schools minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Indiana public charter schools average of 69% (majority Black).
Which public charter schools in Lake County are often viewed compared to one another?

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