A welcoming community of more than 3,000 students, award-winning faculty and student support services help local scholars navigate college with confidence. Indiana Northwest offers hundreds of certificates, associate's, bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Research and professional opportunities provide real-world experience. Seventy student clubs and organizations along with nine athletic teams round out the college experience. Personalized support services assist with financial aid options.
There is a program for everyone from the high school graduate to the single parent to the professional looking to add credentials.
Purdue University Northwest transforms lives through innovative education, impactful research and community engagement.
PNW’s nationally recognized academic programs prepare students in key areas including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, engineering, technology, nursing and psychology. It is a recognized doctoral-granting institution, preparing advanced practitioners who will be the changemakers for our area’s economy and quality of life.
PNW is recognized as a Carnegie Research University.
PNW continues to advance the socioeconomic mobility of its students and positively affect regional development. PNW is designated as a FirstGen Forward Network Champion institution where approximately half of its student body identifies as first-generation.
Lynn Gelatka, owner of LM Premier Dance, creates a warm, family-oriented environment where students can develop a passion for dance and build a technical base.
The school, founded in Beecher in 2005, offers ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, lyrical and acrobatics. It rebranded from Lynn Marie's School of Dance and moved to Cedar Lake in 2020.
“Our programs serve children ages 2.5 through 18 and offer opportunities for every level and goal, from recreational classes focused on fun, confidence and creativity to specialized training for our competitive dance, acro and All-Star Pom teams,” said Gelatka.
Elite coaching prepares competitive students for university dance teams and degree programs.
“We believe the secret to our success is the sense of community and culture we’ve built within our studio,” said Gelatka. “We create a positive, supportive environment where every dancer feels valued, encouraged and motivated to grow.”
“Since 1969, we have focused on safety, love of children and our connection to our students and their families,” said Jessica Buikema, marketing, PR and special events manager at Patti's All-Amrican.
“We teach gymnastics as well as dance, Gym-N-Learn Educational Preschool, All-American Ninjas and swim classes,” said Buikema. “Our clean gym, friendly, loving teachers and staff and our safe curriculum for gymnastics classes are what help us be exactly what you want for your child here in Lake County.”
As a former sports writer and editor, Principal Paul Mullaney knows a good team when he sees one.
Thus, he marvels at the staff of Bishop Noll Institute.
“We’re grateful to have an excellent team in place,” he says. “The faculty is dedicated and very knowledgeable and very caring. They put the interest of their students first, and it’s all a part of creating an environment where students can learn to grow.”
Mullaney notes that the school's STREAM program, which takes the traditional STEM program and adds religion and arts, has been vibrant since it began in 2020.
The school itself? It’s 105 years old.
“For us to have achieved this level of excellence so long speaks to the legacy and environment to help us get to this level of success,” he says.
The way Principal Brett Martinson sees it, Chesterton High School has a bonus beyond its great staff.
That staff and huge community support have formed a powerful tag team for the school, which is more than 135 years old.
“We have a great community that is very supportive,” he says. “We have 2,000 kids and try to engage with the community in a positive manner. We have 200 students involved in internships and most of them are in Chesterton.”
That’s good for the community as well as the students.
“Our kids are learning real-life stuff, which we find to be very valuable,” he says. “It’s just a good partnership.”
Make no mistake about it, the athletes who go through the Famous Athletes program enjoy winning awards.
“We believe in more than winning trophies,” the company’s website says. “At Famous, we focus on developing passion, dedication, leadership and integrity.
“Our coaches are committed to guiding athletes with love, structure and discipline while creating a safe and encouraging space where every individual can thrive.”
The business emphasizes fundamentals such as team building, athletic growth, self-confidence, discipline, dedication, training, encouragement, jumps, tumbling, flexibility, endurance, strength, stunting and conditioning.
