Average
#1499 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 47% in state
Arbor Academy
Elementary School · Arbor Academy
55 ARBOR ST, Battle Creek, MI 49015
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
127
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
6.4
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Battle Creek
#13 of 26
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#852 of 1,602
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Arbor Academy
Arbor Academy stands out as an exceptional charter elementary school serving 127 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Battle Creek, Michigan. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #17 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 100th percentile, this public charter school has established itself among Michigan's top-performing educational institutions. The school maintains a favorable learning environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1, supported by 11 full-time equivalent teachers.
This smaller class size allows for more individualized attention and support for each student throughout their elementary and middle school years. Located at 55 Arbor Street in the 49015 ZIP code area, Arbor Academy serves a diverse community where the median household income is $65,786 and median home value is $161,100. The neighborhood reflects a mix of educational backgrounds, with 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while 13.9% of families experience poverty.
As a charter school option in Battle Creek's educational landscape, Arbor Academy provides families with an alternative to traditional district schools while maintaining its status as a regular public school. The school operates within Battle Creek, a small city setting in Calhoun County that offers both urban amenities and community connections.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 127 students, Arbor Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Arbor Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Arbor Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Arbor Academy — Students at Arbor Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.9/10.
How Arbor Academy Compares
See how Arbor Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 15.1% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 15.05% (2022).
Location
55 ARBOR ST, Battle Creek, MI 49015
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Arbor Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Minges Brook School (rated 8.3/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BATTLE CREEK AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL ST JOSEPH ELEMEN (rated 7.0/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Ann J Kellogg School (rated 6.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Battle Creek, see our Battle Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49015 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,719
Median Home Value
$171,000
Median Rent
$980/mo
Population
29,013
College Educated
28.3%
Homeownership
70.5%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
13.5%
Median Age
37.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Arbor Academy has a median household income of $67,719. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,000, with a median rent of $980/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Coloma Intermediate School Coloma, MI | 6.4 |
| East Leonard Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 6.4 |
| FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City, MI | 6.4 |
| ST MATTHEW LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walled Lake, MI | 6.4 |
| ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage, MI | 6.4 |
| Discovery Enrichment Center Benton Harbor, MI | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arbor Academy
What grades does Arbor Academy serve?
Arbor Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Arbor Academy?
Arbor Academy has an enrollment of approximately 127 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Arbor Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Arbor Academy is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Arbor Academy rank in MI?
Arbor Academy is ranked #1499 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Arbor Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Arbor Academy has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Arbor Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Arbor Academy has 16.1% math proficiency and 17.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Arbor Academy a charter school?
Yes, Arbor Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Arbor Academy a Title I school?
No, Arbor Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Arbor Academy?
88.2% of students at Arbor Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,679/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Battle Creek). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 127
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 88.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Calhoun County
- Phone
- (269) 963-5851
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Arbor Academy- District Enrollment
- 127
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,781
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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 methodologyRelated reading
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