- Enrollment
- 565
- Students per teacher
- 18.8:1
- Resource Index
- 51/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Hobart, IN
John I Meister Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for John I Meister Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 54/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 180462000779
👥 S:T ratio 38
🌟 Gifted program 70
📋 Attendance 54
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
John I Meister Elementary School earns 54/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Indiana median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Indiana schools.
- #1 of 4
- elementary schools in Hobart · Resource Index
- 54
- Resource Index · Higher
- 15.5:1
- students per teacher
- 80.9%
- free-lunch eligible
John I Meister Elementary School has class sizes near the Indiana median. Computed live against every Indiana school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, John I Meister Elementary School ranks #1 of 4 elementary schools in Hobart, IN.
School address
District: River Forest Community Sch Corp · Indiana
NCES ID 180462000779 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+18 students YoY
John I Meister Elementary School grew from 346 students in 2022-23 to 364 in 2023-24 (+5.2%).
Teacher FTE lost 24.5 → 23.5 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+18 students YoY 180462000779 · Hobart, IN Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
373 enr · 15.5:1 · 80.9% lunch · RII 54
Nearest enrollment peer: River Forest High School (565 students)
John I Meister Elementary School grew from 346 students in 2022-23 to 364 in 2023-24 (+5.2%). Teacher FTE lost 24.5 → 23.5 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Indiana schools → · Find another →
John I Meister Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- River Forest H
River Forest High School
565 students
- Henry S Evans
Henry S Evans Elementary School
400 students
- This school
John I Meister Elementary School
373 students
- River Forest M
River Forest Middle School
369 students
What this shows John I Meister Elementary School reports 373 students on the CCD universe file.
How John I Meister Elementary School compares
John I Meister Elementary School is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Indiana and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Indiana | Indiana avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 15.5:1 | ▼ 3% | 15.9:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 80.9% | ▲ 63% | 49.5% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 373 | top 65% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.5:1
Leaner classes than 42% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
373
Bigger than 43% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
80.9%
free-lunch eligible
- 63% above the Indiana average of 49.5%
Well above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold, among the highest-need profiles in the state; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
15.5:1
students per teacher
- 3% below state mean
Top 53% in Indiana - lower ratio than 47% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
18.5%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$10,637
per pupil, district-wide
- below Indiana avg of $12,921
Well below the U.S. average per-pupil spend, a notably leaner funding position that may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
6
in-school suspensions + 23 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 1.6 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 7.8 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection. Includes 13 expulsions.
Student demographics
Hispanic or Latino 45.0%
White 36.5%
African American 10.7%
Two or More 7.2%
Asian 0.5%
Largest group: Hispanic or Latino at 45.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 64.8/100
Simpson diversity index - at 64.8, John I Meister Elementary School is more mixed than the Indiana school average of 39.0.
Programs
Gifted & talented Yes
District finance for River Forest Community Sch Corp reports $10,637 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How John I Meister Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| River Forest High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Henry S Evans Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| River Forest Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to John I Meister Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 400
- Students per teacher
- 18.2:1
- Resource Index
- 28/100
- Enrollment
- 369
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 50/100
Similar elementary schools in Hobart
3 comparable elementary schools (grades K-5) serving the same city.
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~373 students)
Frequently asked questions about John I Meister Elementary School
How many students attend John I Meister Elementary School?
John I Meister Elementary School has 373 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Hobart, IN. CCD year-over-year: 346 (2022-23) → 364 (2023-24), up 18.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John I Meister Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at John I Meister Elementary School is 15.5:1, which is 3% lower than the Indiana average of 15.9:1 and 1% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at John I Meister Elementary School?
80.9% of students at John I Meister Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Indiana average of 49.5%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of John I Meister Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at John I Meister Elementary School is Hispanic or Latino at 45.0% of enrollment, in Hobart, IN. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 64.8/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for John I Meister Elementary School?
John I Meister Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 54/100 (higher reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does John I Meister Elementary School rank among elementary schools in Hobart?
By Resource Investment Index, John I Meister Elementary School ranks #1 of 4 elementary schools in Hobart, IN. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Hobart on the city page.
What other schools are in River Forest Community Sch Corp?
Besides John I Meister Elementary School, River Forest Community Sch Corp also operates River Forest High School (565 students), Henry S Evans Elementary School (400 students), and River Forest Middle School (369 students). See the River Forest Community Sch Corp district page for the complete list.