The top reported proficiency rate is 15% in English language arts. The lowest is 11% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Abraham Lincoln Elementary School
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade in East Chicago, a heavily industrial city in Lake County. The school is part of the School City of East Chicago district, which has experienced a sharp enrollment decline over recent years, a trend that may affect program offerings and school viability in ways families will want to track.
The school itself is a regular public elementary school. Its enrollment is small for a K-6 building. The student body is predominantly Black, with a substantial Hispanic population and a very small share of white students. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic context of a city where heavy industry has long dominated but where population and employment have fallen significantly from mid-century peaks. The city's industrial character is pervasive: a large share of land is zoned for heavy industry, and the dominant employer is a major steel mill. Residential neighborhoods are interspersed with industrial facilities, and the city's two historic sides are separated by rail yards.
On state assessments, Abraham Lincoln Elementary's proficiency rates are low across all tested subjects. In math, English language arts, science, and social studies, the share of students scoring proficient or above is in the low teens. The school's overall proficiency index places it below the midpoint among districts in Lake County. These are the most recent results available, and they represent a consistent pattern across subjects. A parent considering this school will want to discuss with the school what academic supports are in place and how the school is working to raise these outcomes.
The school serves kindergarten through sixth grade, so there is no graduation rate to report. The district as a whole has experienced a sharp enrollment decline over recent years, a trend that may affect program offerings and staffing. The school's own enrollment is small, and the student body is heavily low-income, with a large majority qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on special education and English learner populations was not available in the source materials.
Housing in the area is notably affordable. Home values are well below state and national benchmarks, and rents are also low relative to income. For a family, this means the cost of living is low, though the housing market has seen some softening in values recently. The city's industrial landscape and environmental history, including a Superfund site that led to the relocation of families, are important context for anyone considering a move to the area.
The school is a regular public elementary school, not a charter or magnet. It is part of the School City of East Chicago district, which serves the entire city. The district's enrollment decline is a factor worth monitoring, as it could influence class sizes, resource allocation, and the range of programs available in the coming years. For a family already in East Chicago or considering the area, Abraham Lincoln Elementary represents a neighborhood school option in a district facing headwinds, with academic performance that warrants a close look and direct conversation with school leadership.
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