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John I Meister Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

864^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 15% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

John I Meister Elementary School is a K–5 school in Hobart, Indiana, serving 373 students as part of the River Forest Community School Corp, a district that ranks 325th of 374 Indiana districts. The school ranks 864th of 1,015 Indiana schools in 2025–2026 (15th percentile, 1 star), continuing a long slide from 467th of 1,031 (55th percentile, 3 stars) in 2018–2019.

Academically, results are mixed. On 2025–2026 ILEARN all-grade tests, ELA proficiency was 16.48%, below the district's 23.1%, while math was 24.59% (above the district's 19.3%) and science was 30.65%, nearly double the district's 17.65% and well above same-district Henry S Evans Elementary School. Fifth grade is the clearest red flag: ELA 14.08%, math 11.27%, and social studies 12.68%, all far below district and state levels, suggesting gains in earlier grades are not holding. Compared with nearby Hobart schools — Joan Martin Elementary School, Liberty Elementary School, and Veterans Elementary School at Mundell — which post ELA in the 41–47% range and math in the 49–59% range, the gap is large. The school does outperform Charter School of the Dunes in all three subjects.

Attendance is a major challenge: 23.5% of students were chronically absent in 2024–2025, versus 16.7% statewide and just 5.2–7.4% in the Hobart schools. About 72.92% of students qualified for free/reduced lunch, spending was $10,504 per student, and the student-teacher ratio rose to 16.5 from 14.1 in 2022–2023. Notably, Veterans Elementary spends slightly less per student and has larger classes yet achieves much stronger results — a reminder that attendance, instruction, and school climate matter as much as funding.

373

Students ?

16.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,660

Per pupil spending ?

72.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

66.7%

Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (2025-26)

3300 Jay St
Hobart, IN 46342

(219) 962-1103

District: River Forest Community School Corp

Students who attend John I Meister Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	River Forest Middle School
High:	River Forest High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

45.0%

White:

36.5%

African American:

10.7%

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Compare John I Meister Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 28th percentile in 2016 → 15th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (21% vs 47% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (15th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 13 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school21%

District avg20%

Indiana avg47%

864^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 15%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From bottom 28% (2016) to bottom 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2Elementary Schools in the River Forest Community School Corp

325^th of 374River Forest Community School Corp among Indiana districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Indiana percentile	Rating
2026	15.7	864 of 1015	14.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	11.7	900 of 1005	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.8	711 of 1011	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	39.5	640 of 1016	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.2	728 of 1020	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	27.0	766 of 1016	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	57.1	467 of 1031	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.1	628 of 1027	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	51.7	574 of 1033	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	37.3	755 of 1046	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	68.9	317 of 1040	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	74.1	217 of 1036	79.1%	★★★★☆
2013	66.8	362 of 1035	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	56.1	520 of 1015	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2011	58.2	499 of 1025	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	70.0	302 of 1009	70.1%	★★★★☆
2009	48.4	620 of 1003	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	43.9	670 of 996	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2007	32.8	762 of 985	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	56.3	466 of 961	51.5%	★★★☆☆
2005	22.2	835 of 959	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	32.0	267 of 326	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Science31%

Math25%

English Language Arts16%

Social Studies13%-35 vs state

★

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Schools Near John I Meister Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)							ILEARN Math (2026)							ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ILEARN English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 4th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 5th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 6th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 7th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts 8th Grade	ILEARN English Language Arts All Grades	ILEARN Math 3rd Grade	ILEARN Math 4th Grade	ILEARN Math 5th Grade	ILEARN Math 6th Grade	ILEARN Math 7th Grade	ILEARN Math 8th Grade	ILEARN Math All Grades	ILEARN Science 4th Grade	ILEARN Science 6th Grade	ILEARN Science All Grades	ILEARN Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR)	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
John I Meister Elementary School	Public	K-5	3300 Jay St	Hobart	46342	Lake County	River Forest Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 962-1103	373	23	16.5	72.9%	136 (36.5%)	40 (10.7%)	168 (45.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (7.2%)	15.7	864^th of 1015 public elementary schools	14.9%		11.7	900^th of 1005 public elementary schools	10.4%	36	24.5	12.9	14.1				16.5	32.7	33.3	11.3				24.6	30.7		30.7	12.7	66.7%		$10,660	$784	$9,877
Alexander Hamilton Elementary School	Public	K-5	2900 Lake St	Lake Station	46405	Lake County	Lake Station Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 962-1824	200	14	13.9	76.5%	70 (35.0%)	16 (8.0%)	100 (50.0%)	2 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (6.0%)	33.3	691^st of 1015 public elementary schools	31.9%		17.3	842^nd of 1005 public elementary schools	16.2%	151	31.3	31.6	24.0				29.5	43.8	39.5	28.0				37.9	34.2		34.2	32.0	84.6%		$12,733	$1,845	$10,888
Early Learning Center-George Earle	Public	PK-K	400 N Wilson St	Hobart	46342	Lake County	School City of Hobart	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 942-7263	264	14	18.8	41.7%	137 (51.9%)	19 (7.2%)	82 (31.1%)	2 (0.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (8.7%)								(n/a)																			50%		$12,441	$802	$11,639
Liberty Elementary School	Public	1-5	130 N Liberty St	Hobart	46342	Lake County	School City of Hobart	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 942-4251	398	22	18.5	58.0%	215 (54.0%)	52 (13.1%)	113 (28.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.3%)	61	385^th of 1015 public elementary schools	62.1%		55.4	454^th of 1005 public elementary schools	54.8%	69	40.0	44.2	40.0				41.3	57.3	61.0	57.8				58.7	40.3		40.3	42.2			$12,066	$634	$11,432
Veterans Elementary School at Mundell	Public	1-5	52 North Wisconsin St	Hobart	46342	Lake County	School City of Hobart	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 942-5614	594	31	19.4	67.7%	320 (53.9%)	61 (10.3%)	165 (27.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (7.6%)	61.8	376^th of 1015 public elementary schools	63.0%		47.1	547^th of 1005 public elementary schools	45.6%	171	46.0	46.7	47.8				46.8	60.4	49.2	37.2				48.8	42.5		42.5	54.5			$10,762	$630	$10,132
Virgil I Bailey Elementary School	Public	K-5	2100 Union St	Lake Station	46405	Lake County	Lake Station Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 962-1302	235	17	13.5	86.4%	79 (33.6%)	26 (11.1%)	106 (45.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (9.8%)	16.4	855^th of 1015 public elementary schools	15.8%		18.5	831^st of 1005 public elementary schools	17.3%	24	15.9	4.4	25.0				14.9	26.7	28.3	29.6				28.2	15.2		15.2	27.3	73.3%		$12,887	$1,717	$11,171
Henry S Evans Elementary School	Public	K-5	2915 E 35th Ave	Lake Station	46405	Lake County	River Forest Community School Corp	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 962-1608	400	23	17.7	82.3%	151 (37.8%)	51 (12.8%)	163 (40.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.3%)	17	847^th of 1015 public elementary schools	16.6%		19	829^th of 1005 public elementary schools	17.5%	18	22.4	15.4	34.0				23.8	24.1	34.6	14.0				24.4	17.3		17.3	14.0	84.3%		$10,241	$855	$9,387
Joan Martin Elementary School	Public	1-5	301 E 10th St	Hobart	46342	Lake County	School City of Hobart	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 947-7869	497	24	20.7	51.5%	274 (55.1%)	35 (7.0%)	161 (32.4%)	6 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.0%)	64.2	352^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	65.3%		56.6	440^th of 1005 public elementary schools	56.2%	88	46.4	43.5	47.8				45.8	59.5	53.7	41.3				51.4	44.4		44.4	58.7			$11,420	$488	$10,932
Charter School of the Dunes	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	7300 East Melton Rd	Gary	46403	Lake County	Charter School of the Dunes	Yes	No	No	Yes	(219) 939-9690	836	47	17.7	67.5%	9 (1.1%)	708 (84.7%)	74 (8.9%)	2 (0.2%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (4.5%)	6.9	972^nd of 1015 public elementary schools	4.2%		5.8	980^th of 1005 public elementary schools	2.5%	8	8.1	13.6	7.4	10.4	19.3	32.1	15.1	14.0	18.5	7.4	11.7	5.7	8.8	10.7	12.5	9.1	10.6	13.8	54.4%		$12,653	$2,924	$9,729
George L Myers Elementary School	Public	K-5	3100 Willowdale	Portage	46368	Porter County	Portage Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 763-8035	332	22	15.0	41.3%	182 (54.8%)	20 (6.0%)	101 (30.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	26 (7.8%)	53.6	478^th of 1015 public elementary schools	52.9%		44.2	579^th of 1005 public elementary schools	42.4%	101	45.8	49.2	52.8				49.4	50.0	55.6	26.4				44.5	25.4		25.4	45.3	76.7%		$11,274	$735	$10,539

Frequently Asked Questions about John I Meister Elementary School

How many students attend John I Meister Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 373 students attended John I Meister Elementary School.

Is John I Meister Elementary School a good school?

John I Meister Elementary School ranks in the bottom 14.9% of Indiana elementary schools.

What district is John I Meister Elementary School in?

River Forest Community School Corp

What is the racial makeup of John I Meister Elementary School?

Students at John I Meister Elementary School are 45% Hispanic, 36% White, 11% African American, 7% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of John I Meister Elementary School attend?

Students who attend John I Meister Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : River Forest Middle School
High : River Forest High School

Rate John I Meister Elementary School!

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 28, 2026

2025–26 attendance dataNewOct 28, 2026

2024–25 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 20, 2026

2023–24 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Indiana Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.