The top reported proficiency rate is 18% in English language arts. The lowest is 1% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Gary Lighthouse Charter School
Gary Lighthouse Charter School is a single-school district in Lake County, Indiana, covering kindergarten through twelfth grade in one building. With an enrollment that is small for a K–12 system, it is a self-contained academic setting where students move through all grades within the same school community. The student body is overwhelmingly Black, with a noticeably smaller Hispanic population and very few White or multiracial students. Data on how many students qualify for free or reduced‑price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners were not available in the materials provided, so a family would need to ask the school directly for those details.
On state assessments, the district’s performance sits low on the academic spectrum. Proficiency rates in math and English language arts were below the midpoint among Lake County’s districts, placing Gary Lighthouse in the bottom quarter. Science proficiency followed a similar pattern. Social studies, tested only in grade five, showed an especially low share of students meeting the proficient bar—a number that bears investigation with the school. The overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades lands in the bottom quartile of the county, a pattern that a parent or guardian would want to explore further by discussing classroom instruction, curriculum, and intervention practices with the school leadership.
Chronic absenteeism is a concern. The district’s chronic absenteeism rate is high and also falls in the bottom quartile among Lake County districts, meaning a large portion of students miss a substantial number of school days. This is the kind of metric that can affect academic momentum and school culture, and a family may want to ask what attendance supports are in place.
Per‑pupil current spending is in the upper range compared to other districts in the county, which could reflect costs associated with serving a small, all‑grades population or specific program investments. But without data on staffing, course offerings, or program details, the connection between spending and classroom experience is unclear.
No graduation rate was reported for this district, even though it serves twelfth grade. Because the data set does not give a reason, a family should verify with the school what the graduation rate is and what supports exist for students transitioning from high school to work or college.
Web research turned up no recent, parent‑relevant changes or strategic priorities for the district. That absence may mean the school has been operating steadily, but it also leaves a gap in understanding any improvement efforts or new programs.
Gary Lighthouse Charter School offers a K‑through‑12 pathway within a single building and a student population that is almost entirely Black and Hispanic. The academic outcomes rank low relative to other Lake County districts, chronic absenteeism is high, and spending is relatively high. A family considering this school would do well to spend time on campus, talk with teachers and administrators about how the school works to raise achievement and attendance, and ask directly about student supports, post‑secondary preparation, and the missing graduation data. The picture is incomplete without those conversations.
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