Summary:
The two elementary schools located in the 46408 zip code area, Glen Park Academy for Excel in Learning and Longfellow New Technical Elementary School, are both struggling academically, with consistently low test scores and rankings compared to state and district averages. The schools serve predominantly low-income and minority student populations, with high rates of chronic absenteeism and economic disadvantage.
Academically, both schools have very low proficiency rates on ILEARN tests in English Language Arts and Math, with Glen Park Academy for Excel in Learning having only 7.07% of students proficient or better in ELA and 3.54% in Math, and Longfellow New Technical Elementary School faring slightly better at 12.64% proficient or better in ELA and 10.34% in Math. The schools' performance has been consistently low over the past few years, with little improvement. Both schools are ranked in the bottom 5-10% of Indiana elementary schools, with a 0 out of 5 star rating from SchoolDigger.
The high rates of economic disadvantage, as indicated by the free and reduced-price lunch percentages of 86.07% at Glen Park Academy and 90.27% at Longfellow New Technical, likely play a significant role in the schools' struggles. Additionally, the racial makeup of the student populations, with Glen Park Academy being 85.5% African American and Longfellow New Technical having a more diverse student body, highlights the need to address racial inequities in education. Addressing the systemic challenges facing these schools, such as chronic absenteeism, lack of resources, and implicit bias, will require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to support the students and communities served by these Gary Community School Corp and Lake Ridge New Technical Schools.
Thank you for your feedback!