The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Social studies. The lowest is 22% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Hammond Academy of Science & Tech
The Hammond Academy of Science & Tech is a charter district serving grades kindergarten through twelve, though enrollment data shows the school actually begins at sixth grade, with no students in the lower elementary grades. The student body is small for a full K‑12 district, and it is heavily Hispanic, with a smaller share of Black students and a modest number of white students. Federal meal assistance data was not available, so it is not possible to determine the share of students from low‑income households. The school is located in Lake County, but no specific town or community context is provided in the available records; a parent would want to confirm the school's physical address and surrounding neighborhood directly with the district.
Academically, the academy's performance on Indiana's ILEARN assessments for grades three through eight places it above the midpoint among Lake County's districts when all tested subjects are averaged together. In math, about one in five students scored at or above the proficient level. In English language arts, roughly a third did. In science, about a third of tested students reached proficiency. These figures come from a single recent test year and represent the district's younger grade levels; high school state assessment results were not included in the data, so a parent interested in upper‑grade outcomes should ask the school directly about high school course performance and any end‑of‑course exams. Social studies results from the older ISTEP test date back several years and are not comparable to current assessments, so they offer limited insight.
The district's four‑year graduation rate is not reported in the available data, which may reflect the school's relatively small high school enrollment or a reporting gap. A parent considering this school for high school should request graduation rates and postsecondary plans from the school office.
Chronic absenteeism, a measure of students missing a substantial number of school days, is notably lower here than in many other Lake County districts. The academy's rate places it in the top quartile for the county, meaning fewer students are chronically absent compared with most neighboring districts. This is a positive signal for school climate and student engagement.
Per‑pupil current spending is in the lower range among Lake County districts. The academy operates on a leaner budget than the typical district in the area. That may reflect the charter model's funding structure, but without more detail on staffing, class sizes, and program offerings, a parent would want to ask how the school allocates its resources and whether course access in areas like lab sciences, advanced placement, or career‑technical education is comparable to what larger districts provide.
The most consequential recent development for the school is the reauthorization of its charter by the Indiana State Board of Education for the five‑year period beginning July 2023. This decision ensures the school will remain open at least through June 2028, giving families a stable planning horizon. Charter renewal is not automatic; the board's approval signals that the school met its operational and academic obligations. A parent researching this school should note that the charter's long‑term future beyond 2028 will depend on the school's continued performance in the years ahead.
No information about special education services, English learner supports, discipline rates, or course offerings was available in the provided data. These are important factors for many families. A parent with a student who receives special services or who seeks specific academic programs should contact the school directly to learn about what is available. The academy's name suggests a focus on science and technology, but the data does not confirm any particular program emphasis, so assumptions should not be made without verification.
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