Joy Elementary School

Our Montessori environment invites children to choose self-correcting materials and work independently. We guide practical-life, sensory, language, and math learning, along with cultural studies in nature, science, arts, literature, and history. Children also practice cooperation through sharing and working with classmates. For 2026-27, morning class runs from 8:00 to 11:15 a.m.; children in morning lunch and kindergarten stay until 12:15 p.m. Afternoon class runs from 11:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with 10:45 a.m. arrival for afternoon lunch and kindergarten students. Children may arrive from 7:50 a.m., and kindergarten and lunch students bring a packed lunch. We are enrolling for 2026-27.

We provide individualized, self-paced learning for students in kindergarten through grade 9. Students work toward mastery across language arts, math, science, social studies, art, music, and STEM, with sensory-based tools and environments available to support learning. We also offer speech, occupational, and physical therapy, and serve students with a range of learning, sensory, and developmental profiles.

Michigan City High School is the public high school of Michigan City Area Schools, and our Early College program, launched in 2014, was the first in the region. Up to 100 students a year join this free school-within-a-school, earning high school and college credit together, and families from outside the district, private schools and homeschools may apply. Every student can take AP and dual-credit classes, and an Honors College adds further rigor. Career-minded students can enter the Compressed Air Academy, where they train on industry-grade air compressors and vacuum systems with local manufacturing partners including Vanair and Sullair. Other career and technical electives meet at the A.K. Smith Career Center, which also houses our Pathways alternative program, and the Great Lakes Virtual Academy offers an online option. District special education services and English learner support are available to students who need them. The Open Door Adolescent Health Center operates inside our building, and students can stay after school for homework help and activities. Our Wolves compete in the Duneland Athletic Conference, and students choose from clubs, the National Honor Society, yearbook and educational international travel.