The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Math. The lowest is 43% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Peifer Elementary School
Peifer Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Schererville, a Chicago suburb of about that size that sits roughly 30 miles southeast of downtown. The town is a car-dependent place built around the intersection of US 30 and US 41, with a small downtown section along Old Lincoln Highway that retains early-20th-century character, but the broader environment is oriented toward automobile travel. Schererville grew rapidly from the 1960s through the 1990s, but growth has slowed considerably in recent decades, with the population steady to slightly declining since 2020. The most significant recent infrastructure development is the Monon Corridor commuter rail line, with stations at Munster Ridge and Munster/Dyer that opened in spring 2026, improving transit access to the Chicago region.
Peifer is part of the Lake Central School Corporation, a district that also serves the adjacent town of Dyer, most of St. John, and a section of Griffith. The district recently updated its elementary school boundaries, a change that affects which elementary school a student attends based on residence — a factor worth noting for families deciding where to buy or rent within the district.
The school’s enrollment is in the midsize range for an elementary school serving these grades. The student body is diverse, with a majority of students identifying as white, a substantial share as Hispanic, and a smaller but notable share as Black. A significant portion of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. We looked for special education and English learner counts but did not find them reported at the school level, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about those supports.
On the state’s ILEARN assessments, results show some variation across subjects. In math, a majority of students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, the share reaching that bar was lower, with just under half of students scoring proficient or above. Fourth-grade science results were roughly in line with the ELA figure. Overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places Peifer in the top quartile when compared with other districts in Lake County. The school participated in testing at a very high rate, which gives the results credibility.
Because Peifer only goes through fourth grade, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school does not offer high school-level courses such as advanced placement or career-technical pathways. That is not a weakness for an elementary school but rather a reflection of its grade band. For families looking farther ahead, the Lake Central district’s secondary schools will be the next step.
Housing in Schererville is priced well above the state typical home value, reflecting the town’s desirability as a Chicago suburb. Rents are also on the higher side relative to the area. A typical home in the zip code would require a substantial share of a median household income to cover a mortgage at current interest rates, and renting is somewhat more affordable than buying in this market. The economic context shows a stable national unemployment picture and modest growth in household income nationally.
For a family considering Peifer, the picture is of a solid elementary school within a larger suburban district that serves a diverse population and performs above average relative to its county peers. The school’s academic results show a strength in math and a softer spot in literacy that some families may want to discuss with the school. The grade band means the decision about a child’s elementary years is effectively separate from the later school choices the district will offer. The housing market is competitive and expensive for the region, which may be the primary consideration for families looking to move into the attendance area. The recent boundary changes within the district make it wise to confirm which elementary school a particular address serves before making a move.
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