The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in Math. The lowest is 62% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Brummitt Elementary School
Brummitt Elementary School serves kindergarten through fourth grade in Chesterton, part of the Duneland School Corporation. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The school is one of five elementary schools feeding into the district's intermediate, middle, and high school campuses, which are spread across town rather than clustered together.
Academically, Brummitt produces results that sit above where most schools in Porter County land. On the state's ILEARN assessments, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades ranks in the top quartile relative to other districts in the county. In math, a large majority of students scored proficient or above. English language arts proficiency was also solid, with roughly three in five students meeting the bar. Science proficiency, tested only at fourth grade, came in near that same level. These are strong numbers for an elementary school, and they suggest a consistent instructional approach that lands well across core subjects. The school's tested participation rate was high, so the results represent nearly all enrolled students in tested grades.
The student body is predominantly white, with a Hispanic population making up a meaningful share and small numbers of Black, Asian, and multiracial students. About three in ten students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, giving the school a notably lower poverty rate than many public schools nationally. This economic context is consistent with Chesterton itself, which blends residential neighborhoods with a commercial downtown and draws tourism from the nearby Indiana Dunes State and National Parks. The town has seen steady population growth, and housing values are above the state average. Families looking at Brummitt will be entering a market where the cost of entry is higher than Indiana as a whole, reflecting the area's desirability as both a commuter town for Chicago and a gateway to the lakeshore.
A parent reading about Brummitt should know that because it serves only early elementary grades, there is no graduation rate to report and no secondary program data. The school does not offer high school-level coursework or career pathways because those are not applicable here. Similarly, data on special education identification and English learner status were not available in the records, so a family with a child who may need those services would want to ask the school directly about its supports. Chronic absenteeism figures were also absent.
The district itself has been through recent change. Chesterton Middle School permanently closed in 2024, and students were moved to the two remaining middle schools, altering feeder patterns. In May 2025, voters approved a new operating referendum that will fund teacher salaries, academic programs, and school safety, replacing an expiring levy. This means the district's financial position and programming are set for the near term, and property owners will see the effect on their tax bills.
The overall picture for Brummitt is of a solid, well-performing elementary school in a growing, economically stable town. Proficiency rates are strong, the student poverty rate is modest, and the school sits in a district that has made recent moves to reorganize and secure its funding. For a family with a young child, the key questions are not about whether the school is struggling but about fit: do the demographics match what you are looking for, and is the Chesterton housing market within reach. Those are the real variables here. The academic foundation is clearly in place.
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