- Northwest Indiana Online School — 0.6 mi · Grades K–12 · 130 students
- Liberty Middle School — 0.7 mi · Grades 7–8 · 423 students
- Bailly Elementary School — 0.9 mi · Grades K–4 · 374 students
- Westchester Intermediate School — 1.2 mi · Grades 5–6 · 404 students
- Newton Yost Elementary School — 1.5 mi · Grades K–4 · 362 students
- Brummitt Elementary School — 1.6 mi · Grades K–4 · 363 students
- Chesterton Senior High School — 1.9 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,937 students
- Liberty Elementary School — 3.8 mi · Grades K–4 · 491 students
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| Metric | Duneland School Corporation | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 5,724 | 3,544 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 10 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,969/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 21% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 10/10 — Excellent | — | Above average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duneland School Corporation (this district) | 10/10 | 98th | 5,724 |
| Michigan City Area Schools | 4/10 | 30th | 5,193 |
| Portage Township Schools | 4/10 | 34th | 6,742 |
| New Durham Township Metropolitan School District | 5/10 | 49th | 944 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 377 rated districts in IN → 98th percentile → 10/10.
Source: Indiana Dept. of Education ILEARN, grades 3–8 Corporation Total proficient, 2024–25 school year. Full methodology →
About Duneland School Corporation
Duneland School Corporation is the public school district assigned to zip code 46304 in Chesterton, Indiana. Serving students from Kindergarten – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 46304. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 10/10 Rating
With a rating of 10/10 (top-tier), Duneland School Corporation ranks among Indiana’s top-tier-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Indiana’s ILEARN grades 3–8 assessments (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Indiana is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Duneland School Corporation ranks among the highest-performing public school districts in Indiana on state assessments, with reading and math proficiency rates in roughly the top 10–20% statewide. Homes in and around zip code 46304 often carry a measurable premium relative to neighboring areas served by lower-rated districts. Families moving here for academic strength will find a district whose students test well above the state norm. Even within top-rated districts, individual school performance varies — confirm your specific school assignments directly with the district.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 46304
Children in zip code 46304 are assigned to Duneland School Corporation for public school enrollment, covering grades Kindergarten – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 46304, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Duneland School Corporation at (219)983-3605 or visit www.duneland.k12.in.us/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Indiana districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Chesterton
For families considering a purchase in the Chesterton area, district assignment matters financially. Because Duneland School Corporation serves zip code 46304, homes in and around zip code 46304 often carry a measurable premium over comparable properties in adjacent lower-rated districts. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Indiana, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Duneland School Corporation programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 46304.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Duneland School Corporation before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 46304 data.