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Very Good

#973 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 31% in state

Alto Elementary School

Elementary School · Lowell Area Schools

6150 BANCROFT AVE SE, Alto, MI 49302

Enrollment

404

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Alto

#2 of 2

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#589 of 1,602

In district

#4 of 6

Lowell Area Schools

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Alto Elementary School

Alto Elementary School serves 404 students in grades PK-5 in the rural community of Alto, Michigan. With 23 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.6:1, providing students with personalized attention in their learning environment. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking #402 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Michigan elementary schools.

Students consistently achieve solid results, with 73% scoring proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 72% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in Math across all grade levels. Alto Elementary serves a well-educated community where 45% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $115,647. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of just 2.4%, with median home values of $353,600, reflecting the area's economic stability.

Located on Bancroft Avenue SE in Kent County, Alto Elementary sits in a rural setting near the town of Alto, offering students the benefits of small-town community life while maintaining access to quality educational resources and strong academic outcomes.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Alto Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency71.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71.8%
Math vs. State Avg+29.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+29.9 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+12.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,427

Alto Elementary School — Students at Alto Elementary School score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.3%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 73.1%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
74%
ELA
79%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
71.9%
ELA
71.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.

How Alto Elementary School Compares

See how Alto Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MI
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

6150 BANCROFT AVE SE, Alto, MI 49302

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alto Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center (rated 9.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. Another option is Emmons Lake Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Caledonia Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alto, see our Alto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Kettle Lake Elementary School Alto 4.1 mi 8.4
Bushnell Elementary School Lowell 6.0 mi 6.9
Cherry Creek Elementary School Lowell 6.2 mi 7.2
Lowell Middle School Lowell 6.1 mi 7.2
Unity Alternative School Lowell 6.1 mi
Lowell Senior High School Lowell 7.1 mi 6.6
Pine Ridge Elementary School Grand Rapids 6.6 mi 7.5
Thornapple Elementary School Grand Rapids 8.4 mi 8.7
Emmons Lake Elementary School Caledonia 8.0 mi 8.8
Ada Elementary School Ada 9.0 mi 8.3
Ada Vista Elementary School Ada 9.0 mi 4.4
Kraft Meadows Intermediate School Caledonia 8.2 mi 8.2
Caledonia High School Caledonia 8.2 mi 7.6
Duncan Lake Transitions Program Caledonia 8.2 mi
Caledonia Elementary School Caledonia 8.5 mi 8.8
Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center Caledonia 8.6 mi 9.1
Duncan Lake Middle School Caledonia 8.6 mi 7.9
West Michigan Aviation Academy Grand Rapids 8.2 mi 6.6
ST ROBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ada 9.4 mi 6.9
ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ada 9.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49302 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$125,264

Median Home Value

$387,100

Median Rent

$1,056/mo

Population

9,657

College Educated

45.1%

Homeownership

96.6%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

2.8%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alto Elementary School has a median household income of $125,264. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,100, with a median rent of $1,056/month. The local poverty rate of 2.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Addison Elementary School Addison, MI 7.1
Alexander Elementary School Adrian, MI 7.1
Bean Elementary School Spring Arbor, MI 7.1
Breckenridge Elementary School Breckenridge, MI 7.1
Burns Park Elementary School Ann Arbor, MI 7.1
Churchill Elementary School Muskegon, MI 7.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alto Elementary School

What grades does Alto Elementary School serve?

Alto Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Alto Elementary School?

Alto Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 404 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alto Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alto Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alto Elementary School rank in MI?

Alto Elementary School is ranked #973 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Alto Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alto Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alto Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alto Elementary School has 72.3% math proficiency and 73.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alto Elementary School a charter school?

No, Alto Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alto Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Alto Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alto Elementary School?

23.3% of students at Alto Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (394/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
404
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Lowell Area Schools
District Enrollment
3,436
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,995
District Rank
#4 of 6

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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