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Joy Elementary School

Q: Is Joy Elementary School a good school?

Joy Elementary School ranks 647 th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

647^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,015 Indiana Elementary Schools

Better than 36% of Indiana elementary schools

Summary

Joy Elementary School is a PK–6 school in Michigan City, Indiana, serving 416 students as part of Michigan City Area Schools, a district ranked 277th of 374 in Indiana. Joy is ranked 647th of 1,015 Indiana schools in 2025–2026, placing it in the 36th percentile with a 2-star rating — one of the stronger schools in a relatively low-ranked district. Its rank has improved from a low of 843rd (17th percentile) in 2020–2021 and has held steady in the mid-30s since 2022–2023, though it still trails its 2018–2019 peak of 47th percentile.

Compared with the average of seven nearby same-district elementaries — Springfield Elementary School, Pine Elementary School, Coolspring Elementary School, Knapp Elementary School, Lake Hills Elementary School, Edgewood Elementary School, and Marsh Elementary School — Joy stands out most in math and science. Its all-grade math proficiency of 41.23% beats the district's 30.87% and the peer average of 36.53%; only Knapp (44.44%) and Pine (44.29%) score higher nearby. Science, at 32.00%, is second only to Knapp's 44.25% among these peers. ELA (28.91%) is close to district and peer averages, but 5th-grade social studies (21.43%) falls below the district's 28.78% and far below the state's 47.20%. Chronic absenteeism of 18.0% is better than the district's 28.9% and the peer average of 22.51%, and near the state's 16.7%. Joy serves a high-poverty population (68.51% free/reduced lunch), similar to its neighbors, while spending less per student ($13,822 vs. $14,861).

Results vary sharply by grade. Fourth grade is a bright spot: ELA 49.06% and math 56.6%, both above district and state. Third grade is a concern (ELA 20.37%, math 29.63%), as is 6th-grade ELA (20.83%). Fifth-grade math (44.64%) is strong, but 5th-grade ELA (25.0%) and social studies lag. Over time, math and science are trending up, while ELA dipped to 28.91% in 2025–26 and social studies fluctuates. Nearby schools in other districts — F Willard Crichfield Elementary, Renaissance Academy Charter School, and Riley Elementary School — post higher proficiency and lower absenteeism, despite Joy spending more per student. Overall, Joy is a solid mid-range school whose next gains likely depend on early and middle-grade ELA and 5th-grade social studies.

416

Students ?

14.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,822

Per pupil spending ?

68.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1600 E Coolspring Ave
Michigan City, IN 46360

(219) 873-2090

District: Michigan City Area Schools

Students who attend Joy Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Martin T Krueger Middle School
High:	Michigan City High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

39.7%

African American:

34.1%

Two or more races:

14.7%

See top rated Indiana elementary schools

Compare Joy Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 40th percentile in 2016 → 36th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Indiana average (33% vs 47% meeting standards)

!Social Studies scores 26 pts below the Indiana average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg29%

Indiana avg47%

647^th of 1,015

Indiana public elementary schools ?

Bottom 36%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 40% (2016) to bottom 36% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Indiana Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 8Elementary Schools in the Michigan City Area Schools

277^th of 374Michigan City Area Schools 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	37.3	647 of 1015	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.6	643 of 1005	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.2	638 of 1011	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	32.7	702 of 1016	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	30.9	735 of 1020	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	16.2	843 of 1016	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	52.4	542 of 1031	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.5	645 of 1027	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	42.8	662 of 1033	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2016	49.1	623 of 1046	40.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	39.2	726 of 1040	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	35.7	788 of 1036	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	44.6	686 of 1035	33.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	32.1	798 of 1015	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	55.0	553 of 1025	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2010	34.1	766 of 1009	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	27.5	808 of 1003	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	19.0	880 of 996	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	26.5	806 of 985	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	14.0	887 of 961	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2005	6.3	923 of 959	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Indiana (2025-2026) ?

Math41%

Science32%

English Language Arts29%

Social Studies21%-26 vs state

★

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Schools Near Joy 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 Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ILEARN English Language Arts (2026)							ILEARN Math (2026)							ILEARN Science (2026)			ILEARN Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Joy Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1600 E Coolspring Ave	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 873-2090	416	29	14.2	68.5%	165 (39.7%)	142 (34.1%)	44 (10.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.5%)	61 (14.7%)	37.3	647^th of 1015 public elementary schools	36.3%		37.6	643^rd of 1005 public elementary schools	36.0%	4	20.4	49.1	25.0	20.8			28.9	29.6	56.6	44.6	33.3			41.2	32.1	31.9	32.0	21.4	$13,822	$2,585	$11,238
Edgewood Elementary School	Public	K-6	502 Boyd Cir	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 873-2079	350	22	15.8	65.1%	105 (30.0%)	167 (47.7%)	33 (9.4%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (11.1%)	22.2	807^th of 1015 public elementary schools	20.5%		25.7	770^th of 1005 public elementary schools	23.4%	37	19.6	38.9	18.0	8.2			20.0	31.4	52.8	20.5	22.5			30.9	22.2	2.0	10.6	33.3	$13,901	$2,641	$11,260
Marsh Elementary School	Public	K-6	400 E Homer St	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 873-2102	296	22	13.4	68.9%	121 (40.9%)	88 (29.7%)	47 (15.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	38 (12.8%)	24.7	779^th of 1015 public elementary schools	23.3%		33.7	689^th of 1005 public elementary schools	31.4%	90	19.6	36.8	34.5	15.0			25.3	23.5	63.2	31.0	15.0			32.3	18.4	10.3	14.3	17.9	$13,456	$2,613	$10,843
Knapp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	321 Bolka Ave	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 873-2096	407	26	15.5	66.1%	197 (48.4%)	89 (21.9%)	65 (16.0%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (12.3%)	50.9	515^th of 1015 public elementary schools	49.3%		52	484^th of 1005 public elementary schools	51.8%	31	32.0	46.6	24.5	40.0			36.1	50.0	60.3	24.5	41.8			44.4	44.8	43.6	44.3	32.1	$14,245	$2,694	$11,551
Lake Hills Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-6	201 Ferguson Rd	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(219) 873-2105	345	24	14.3	73.0%	74 (21.4%)	190 (55.1%)	31 (9.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (14.5%)	27.4	748^th of 1015 public elementary schools	26.3%		13.9	877^th of 1005 public elementary schools	12.7%	129	20.3	8.0	23.5	13.5			17.5	48.4	28.0	29.4	40.5			39.4	20.0	29.7	25.8	23.5	$16,381	$2,788	$13,593
Coolspring Elementary School	Public	K-6	9121 W 300 N	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 873-2073	249	18	13.6	66.3%	113 (45.4%)	85 (34.1%)	32 (12.9%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (6.8%)	31.4	707^th of 1015 public elementary schools	30.3%		29	737^th of 1005 public elementary schools	26.7%	30	5.1	23.5	55.6	30.6			28.3	7.7	35.3	58.3	30.6			32.4	14.7	22.2	18.6	27.8	$15,785	$2,719	$13,065
Pine Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	1660 Co Line Rd	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(219) 873-2114	396	32	12.5	73.5%	154 (38.9%)	151 (38.1%)	45 (11.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (11.4%)	44.1	580^th of 1015 public elementary schools	42.9%		37.6	644^th of 1005 public elementary schools	35.9%	64	41.4	26.2	43.3	28.0			35.7	53.5	45.2	55.0	20.0			44.3	27.9	12.0	19.4	45.8	$15,932	$2,620	$13,313
Renaissance Academy Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	4093 W US Hwy 20	La Porte	46350	LaPorte County	Renaissance Academy Charter School	Yes	No	No	Yes	(219) 878-8711	244	17	14.3	27.5%	184 (75.4%)	16 (6.6%)	30 (12.3%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.9%)	66.7	325^th of 1015 public elementary schools	68.0%		60.6	391^st of 1005 public elementary schools	61.1%	66	51.7	53.6	35.5	34.6	54.6	57.9	46.5	48.3	53.6	41.9	65.4	45.5	47.4	50.7	46.4	57.7	51.9	61.3	$8,109	$347	$7,762
Springfield Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3054 W 800 N	Michigan City	46360	LaPorte County	Michigan City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(219) 873-2117	312	20	15.9	63.8%	185 (59.3%)	68 (21.8%)	27 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (10.3%)	27.5	745^th of 1015 public elementary schools	26.6%		25	778^th of 1005 public elementary schools	22.6%	33	23.5	13.5	25.6	37.0			25.6	41.2	27.0	30.8	30.4			32.1	13.5	32.6	24.1	18.0	$14,326	$2,626	$11,700
F Willard Crichfield Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	336 W Johnson Rd	La Porte	46350	LaPorte County	La Porte Community School Corp	No	No	No	No	(219) 362-2020	459	26	17.6	22.4%	387 (84.3%)	4 (0.9%)	44 (9.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.8%)	82	159^th of 1015 public elementary schools	84.3%		83.4	149^th of 1005 public elementary schools	85.2%	10	43.9	59.4					52.3	61.0	77.1					69.7	68.8		68.8		$9,631	$464	$9,167

Frequently Asked Questions about Joy Elementary School

Is Joy Elementary School a good school?

Joy Elementary School ranks 647^th of 1015 Indiana elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Joy Elementary School?

Students at Joy Elementary School are 40% White, 34% African American, 15% Two or more races, 11% Hispanic.

What district is Joy Elementary School in?

Michigan City Area Schools

What schools do graduates of Joy Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Joy Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Martin T Krueger Middle School
High : Michigan City High School

How many students attend Joy Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 416 students attended Joy Elementary School.

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Schools in Michigan City, IN

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Latest Indiana data All new data »

2025–26 ILEARN & SAT test scoresSep 25, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 5, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataSep 4, 2025

2022–23 through 2023–24 school spending dataJul 16, 2025

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.