About Our District

About Michigan City Area Schools

• Michigan City Area Schools covers approximately 120 square miles in LaPorte and Porter Counties. Buildings include 13 schools, an administrative office, a transportation/service building, and a plant planning facility.
• Two state-of-the-art elementary schools, Lake Hills and Pine, opened in 2009. Both buildings now serve students as magnet schools, Lake Hills as a magnet school for Science, Engineering, Technology and Math, and Pine as a magnet school for the Visual and Performing Arts.
• Full-day Kindergarten is offered to all students.
• A PreK facility for 4-year olds, the Little Wolves Early Learning Center, opened in 2023 -- serving up to 125 children. We also offer a developmental PreK program for 3- and 4-year-olds at three elementary buildings.
• High-Ability Centers are located at three elementary buildings (Springfield, Knapp, and Joy) serving high-ability students in a multi-age classroom setting. Our middle and high schools also offer services and courses for high-ability students.
• Middle Schools are theme-based, offering a solid foundation in core subjects through a special curricular focus. Barker centers on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and Krueger centers on Environmental Science.
• Michigan City High School (approximately 1,500 students) is accredited by the AdvancEd. Many dual-credit and AP courses are offered as part of an Honors College program, and an Early College program serves middle tier/first-generation students. Project Lead the Way Engineering, a robust music and visual Arts program, and four Foreign Languages are among the diverse course options available to students. 
• Michigan City High School offers a Virtual Academy (online) option for students in grades 9-12. A "Pathways to Graduation" program, based at Elston, serves high school students wishing to study in an alternative setting.
• An Adult Basic Education program provides individualized instruction, credit recovery, and HSE test preparation at several sites.
• Our La Porte County Career and Technical Education program serves students from six high schools in the region. Areas of study include automotive technology, health careers, early childhood, education professions, welding, culinary science, cosmetology, construction, advanced manufacturing, smart manufacturing, energy, criminal justice, fire science, and EMT.
• Numerous school and community events are held at the Elston Performing Arts Center and the Michigan City High School auditorium. The corporation also offers outstanding athletic facilities, including a football stadium (Ames Field), a swimming pool, and a beautiful 7,000-capacity high school gymnasium, the Wolves Den.
• The corporation has a comprehensive instructional technology plan in place and has been recognized internationally for its technology programs. Our district is fully 1:1, all students K-12 are issued Chromebooks or Chrome tablets for use at home and at school.

About Our Community

Michigan City, Indiana is located on the southern shores of Lake Michigan near the beautiful Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and State Park. The city, which is located in the northernmost section of LaPorte County, is just 55 miles east of Chicago and 10 miles southwest of the Michigan state line. The city’s economy features a sound industrial base accompanied by strong retail, service, and tourist sectors.

Michigan City is a diverse community, offering many cultural events and opportunities to enjoy the fine and performing arts. With a reputation as one of the Midwest’s best resort and recreation areas, the lakefront is a key attraction for all seasons. The historic South Shore commuter line runs several trains daily through Michigan City, along routes to South Bend and the Chicago Loop. Purdue University’s Northwest campus is located just a few minutes south of Michigan City, and Ivy Tech Community College serves residents at its Michigan City campus.

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Reviews Courtesy of Greatschools.com

Please click here to submit a comment to MCAS about your child's school! Great opportunities in leadership, athletics, performing arts and etc. Outstanding teachers and classes that challenge my child (honors classes). Also great opportunities for dual college credit from Purdue North Central. Keep up the good work.
—Submitted by a parent

My son just graduated from Michigan City High School. He had a terrific experience there. The Parent Network was very active in providing activities for the kids, college info for parents and regular communication with the principal. The best part was the diversity of the students and staff and the positive attitude and acceptance that everyone shared. Lots of great extra-curricular activities, too.
—Submitted by a parent

Our 4th child is starting Barker this fall, and we couldn't be more excited. This school is an excellent educational experience. Students are encouraged and supported to be and do the best they can. The STEM curriculum is rigorous and the implementation of a credit system has been long overdue. Keep up the awesome work Barker!
—Submitted by a parent

A great school with great staff and students! Appreciate the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and opportunities for gifted/talented students. Our daughter has had a wonderful experience here and we highly recommend.
—Submitted by a parent

My grades have improved and they have a lot of opportunities at this school. I am glad I go there. Send your kids to Elston!
—Submitted by a student

Krueger is an amazing school! They have transformed their surrounding property into one huge environmental science learning opportunity. The students lead elementary kids on nature tours, they do water testing in nearby Trail Creek, and they really know their stuff. Test scores have risen exponentially and the students love it here. Kudos to the teachers, staff, community partners and everyone involved with Krueger's success!

Krueger is an awesome school! I could not be happier. I was very concerned when I found out that our area was being redistricted and my child would be attending Krueger. How wrong I was! The 6th grade team is wonderful and my daughter acheived Principals Honor Roll the entire year and was chosen Student of the Year in one of her classes (She was an average student before). The teachers are always available to talk. The band concert was wonderful and it was nice to see so many parents attend. Once a month they have a family night where everyone can participate in different subjects. I always see the principal outside of her office when I visit which I think is awesome considering the elementary school my daughter had attended had a principal that you rarely see. We're looking forward to a new year and new accomplishments. Krueger's great!
—Submitted by a parent

I am not a parent, but I student teach at the schools. After working with students and a lot of the faculty, I have found that everyone really works together to make this school the best environment possible. The teachers want to get involved in the student's life so that what they teach in the classroom can be reinforced at home too.
—Submitted by a student teacher

Knapp has made a big turn around in the last few years. Their teachers and other school staff make sure that the children understand what they are learning. I would not choose another elementary school in the area to sent my child.
—Submitted by a parent

We consider ourselves very lucky to have our child attend Lake Hills. Being a S.T.E.M. school, I feel like it offers a different learning experience that enhances education development. The school also has the support of Lubeznik Center of the arts and Purdue University which offer after school programs to the students for FREE. As a parent I can say I Love Lake Hills Elementary for the opportunities they have given to our child.
—Submitted by a parent

All three of my children went to Marsh , K-5th grade. All three are honor students still to this day. One is at the High School and two are at Elston Middle School. They are pass plus students in Istep. Marsh Teachers must have done something right!
—Submitted by a parent

I am a teacher and parent at Pine School. I trust this school with the care of my child all day. I work with an amazing group of teachers and staff that works harder than any other group I have worked with. Many positive changes have happened in the past year with our school leadership.
—Submitted by a teacher

Love Pine school since it has become a magnet school for the fine arts f. Principal is extremely accommodating and supportive and my child loves her first grade teacher. She has really taken off with her reading. The after school classes are wonderful. She attends two classes on two days. Thank you for being great!
—Submitted by a parent

What a great school! My daughter attended Springfield for 4 years and received a top notch education. The staff is very involved with every student and makes time for parents as well.  
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been wonderful for both of my children. I really like the things that they do for them. From helping with school work to concern about their attendance. Springfield staff has made it enjoyable for my children to go to school. I feel that all of their staff go above and beyond the call of teaching for all the students. Keep up the great work Springfield! You’re not only making students happy but the community as well.
—Submitted by a parent