The top reported proficiency rate is 69% in Math. The lowest is 49% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ernest R Elliott Elementary School
Ernest R Elliott Elementary School serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Munster, a primarily residential suburb of northwest Indiana about a half-hour southeast of downtown Chicago. The school is one of five elementary buildings in the School Town of Munster, a district whose schools have collectively earned a strong regional reputation. Elliott sits in a neighborhood of single-family homes, and the town itself is car-oriented with a linear commercial core along Ridge Road, though a pair of new South Shore Line commuter rail stations opened in early 2026, adding a transit link to Chicago that the town’s long-range plan envisions anchoring a more walkable town center.
Academically, Elliott’s performance on Indiana’s ILEARN assessments places it well above most elementary schools in Lake County. On a composite measure of proficiency across tested subjects and grades, the school sits in the top quartile relative to districts in the county. In math, a solid majority of students met or exceeded the state standard. In English language arts, the share was similarly strong. Social studies, tested only at fifth grade, also showed a solid proficiency rate. Science, also a fifth-grade test, had a lower rate; roughly half of students scored proficient or above. That science result is not out of line with statewide patterns at the elementary level, but a parent considering Elliott may want to ask the school how it supports science instruction and whether there are hands-on or lab components in the upper grades.
The student body is diverse in composition. White students make up a little over half the enrollment, with a substantial Hispanic presence. Smaller shares of students are Asian, Black, or identify as two or more races. About a quarter of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a rate that is relatively low both for Lake County and for the state, pointing to a generally middle-income and upper-middle-income attendance area. Data on students with disabilities and English learners were not reported in the available records, so a parent whose child receives special education services or is an English learner would want to confirm directly with the school what supports are in place and how those populations are served.
The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. Its enrollment is moderate for an elementary school, with class sizes that appear typical for the district. Because Elliott only goes through fifth grade, there is no graduation rate to report. The school does not serve grades that participate in the state’s high school assessments, so the testing picture covers the full curriculum for this age range.
Housing in Munster is priced above the Indiana state average, reflecting the town’s desirability and its proximity to Chicago-area employment. The typical home value is in the mid to upper range for Lake County. Rents are also above the statewide typical. The town has seen significant redevelopment in recent years, including a mixed-use transit-oriented development called Centennial Village and the new commuter rail stations, which have been accompanied by infrastructure improvements like a road underpass. Following severe flooding over a decade ago, levee improvements were completed, and many rebuilt homes in affected areas are larger and more amenity-filled. The overall context is one of a stable, gradually appreciating suburban housing market with a clear municipal push toward transit-oriented growth.
The School Town of Munster district was searched for recent parent-relevant changes—such as boundary shifts, program additions, or budget developments—but none with lasting impact were found in publicly available sources. That absence suggests a period of relative stability at the district level. Munster’s civic anchors include several parks, a golf course built on a converted landfill that generates electricity from methane gas, a performing arts center, and the new rail stations. Major employers include Community Hospital, a PepsiCo bottling facility, a Whole Foods distribution center, and Three Floyds Brewing, giving the town an economic base that blends healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
For a family weighing this school, the picture is one of strong academic performance relative to the county, a diverse but mostly middle-income student body, and a town that is investing in new infrastructure while retaining its suburban residential character. The test results mostly reinforce what the district’s reputation would suggest, with the science outcome being the one area where a closer look may be worthwhile. Beyond that, the question for a parent is likely about fit with the school’s specific peer environment and whether the town’s housing and commuting patterns align with their needs.
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