Across the state, almost 64 percent of schools received an A or B grade. At least 120 of those are Region schools, including Lake Central High School, Crown Point High School and Calumet New Tech High School.

“We’re working hard academically,” said Lake Ridge New Tech Schools Superintendent Sharon Johnson-Shirley. “We’re doing what we need to do to maintain our schools, but there’s always room for improvement.”

Seven schools in the Gary Community School Corp. received a failing grade, while the district as a whole received a D — the same as last year.

The School Accountability Grades, assigned every year since 2001, evaluate school performance based on student language arts and mathematics assessments, graduation rates and college and career readiness.

The grading system also calculates growth, considering the prior year’s measurements for each school.

“Our current accountability grades are an indication of the great education Indiana students are receiving,” Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick said in a news release. “Our work is paying off, and as a department, we will continue to partner with dedicated stakeholders to ensure every school and every student is successful.”

‘A’ districts 

Eight districts in the Region received A grades.

Tri-Creek School Corp., Crown Point Community Schools, School Town of Munster, East Porter County, Union Township School Corp. and Valparaiso Community Schools all maintained their A District status, while Hanover Community School Corp and Lake Central School Corp. improved from a B grade in last year’s assessment.

Districtwide success tricked down to individual schools in Valparaiso Community Schools. All schools but one in the district received A grades.

“We are proud of the hard work exhibited by our teachers and students,” Superintendent Julie Lauck said in a statement. “We will continue to strive for excellence and improvement each year.”

Failing schools

While no district as a whole received a failing grade, 11 schools in the Region were given an F.

Seven of these schools belonged to Gary Community School Corp, another two to School City of East Chicago and one to School City of Hammond. Neighbors’ New Vistas High School also received an F.

The Gary Community School Corp. the district is using its failing grades as a baseline for growth, said Amy Marsh, of the Gary school district.

“Despite incremental improvement, we are not where we need to be as a district in service to our students,” Marsh said in a prepared statement. “We have established academic processes that will impact growth this year and will be reflected in school and district grades next year.”

The School City of East Chicago received a D.

Hammond appeals

No grade was provided for the School City of Hammond, which is appealing its state grade.

Of the district’s 20 schools, four received B’s this year, seven received C’s and six received D’s. Eggers Middle School was given an F. Harding Elementary is also appealing its grade as an individual school.

It is not clear why Harding Elementary and the district are appealing. Superintendent Walter Watkins did not return calls Wednesday requesting comment.

A district can appeal its school grade based on data errors or significant demographics changes in school populations, according to the Indiana State Board of Education.

Appeals are sent to the state attorney general’s office to be considered by a hearing officer.

The district received a C in last year’s assessment.

Showing improvement

Despite financial challenges strapping Lake Ridge New Tech Schools, Calumet New Tech High School raised its grade from a C last year to a B.

Johnson-Shirley credits the change to students’ hard work and professional training for staff in a district with high mobility.

“Kids come in and they’re gone before you can have an impact on them,” Johnson-Shirley said.

She added that the district as a whole, which received a C grade this year, has faced challenges other schools may not, such as losing several teachers and finding financing after two recent failed referendums.

“A C here might be an A or a B somewhere else,” Johnson-Shirley said. “We’re not all facing the same issues, but we’re constantly working to make sure we meet or exceed state standards.”

Private, charter schools

Private and charter schools across the Region received grades across the spectrum.

Andrean High School and Bishop Noll Institute with the Diocese of Gary both maintained their A grades received last year. Marquette Catholic High School, also in the Gary Diocese, was given a B.

Theodore Roosevelt College and Career Academy in Gary was among one of the most improved schools in the state.

The school, taken over by the state six years ago, received the first A in its history following a D last year and five consecutive F grades before that.

Long considered one of Indiana’s most challenged schools, Roosevelt retained educational services provider EdisonLearning in 2016 to assist in the school’s turnaround.

Michael Serpe, a spokesman for EdisonLearning, said an increased graduation rate, fewer suspensions and a 96.4 percent attendance rate — up from prior rates in the 50- to 60-percent range — have contributed to the school’s A grade.

“Those things over time, slowly but surely, start to change the whole environment of the school,” Serpe said. “It’s a major shining light in Gary.”

Roosevelt is celebrating its achievement with a school assembly open to the public at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 12.

“These results are a testament to the commitment and hard work of the teachers, staff and students,” EdisonLearning President and CEO Thom Jackson said in a news release. “They are also the result, in no small part, to the support provided by the Gary community and alumni of the school.”