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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

Charter

Enrollment

127

Student-Teacher

11.5:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.14 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.1%
Math vs. State Avg-26.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.9 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,246

Arbor Academy — Students at Arbor Academy score 15% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.1%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 17.1%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
17.2%
ELA
17.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in MI
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Lakeview Alternative High School Battle Creek 0.2 mi 4.9
CALHOUN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Battle Creek 0.3 mi 8.1
ST JOSEPH MIDDLE SCHOOL Battle Creek 0.7 mi 7.7
BATTLE CREEK AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL ST JOSEPH ELEMEN Battle Creek 0.7 mi 7.0
Prairieview School Battle Creek 0.7 mi 5.1
Lakeview Middle School Battle Creek 1.0 mi 5.0
Westlake Elementary School Battle Creek 1.3 mi 6.6
Battle Creek Montessori Academy Springfield 1.4 mi 5.2
Riverside Elementary School Battle Creek 1.3 mi 6.2
Lakeview High School Battle Creek 1.4 mi 6.6
Battle Creek Area Learning Center Springfield 1.6 mi 6.8
Minges Brook School Battle Creek 1.9 mi 8.3
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek HS Battle Creek 1.8 mi 5.7
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS Battle Creek 1.8 mi 5.8
Ann J Kellogg School Battle Creek 2.1 mi 6.7
Battle Creek MathSci Center Battle Creek 2.0 mi
BATTLE CREEK ACADEMY Battle Creek 2.3 mi 7.3
Endeavor Charter Academy Battle Creek 2.1 mi 6.4
Northwestern Middle School Battle Creek 2.5 mi 6.6
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center Battle Creek 2.2 mi 7.2

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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