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Below Average

#2842 of 3,190 schools in MI

Baldwin Elementary School

Elementary School · Baldwin Community Schools

525 4TH ST, Baldwin, MI 49304

Enrollment

204

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Baldwin

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,440 of 1,602

In district

#3 of 3

Baldwin Community Schools

School environment

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Baldwin Elementary School

Baldwin Elementary School serves 204 students in grades PK through 5 in Baldwin, Michigan, earning an impressive 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #73 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile among Michigan schools — a remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication of its 18 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain an excellent 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. This strong performance is particularly noteworthy given the school's rural setting and the economic challenges facing the community.

The surrounding area has a median household income of $35,882 and a poverty rate of 23.1%, with only 10% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. Despite these socioeconomic factors, Baldwin Elementary has created an environment where students can thrive academically. The school's success demonstrates how effective teaching and small class sizes can make a significant difference in student outcomes.

With fewer than 12 students per teacher, educators can provide personalized attention that helps each child reach their potential. Baldwin Elementary is situated in Lake County's remote rural landscape, where the median home value is $107,600 and the community of 4,614 residents values education as a pathway to opportunity.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Baldwin 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 Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Math vs. State Avg-23.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)13%
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.8Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$23,145

Baldwin Elementary School — Students at Baldwin Elementary School score 15% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 13%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 16.0%
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
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
18.3%
ELA
11.7%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Baldwin Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in MI
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
9.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

525 4TH ST, Baldwin, MI 49304

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Baldwin Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GT Norman Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Reed City), which scores notably higher. Another option is White Cloud Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby White Cloud), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walkerville Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Walkerville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Baldwin, see our Baldwin schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Baldwin Senior High School Baldwin 0.0 mi 8.2
Baldwin Junior High School Baldwin 0.0 mi 6.7
Big Jackson Public School Paris 12.7 mi
Walkerville Elementary Walkerville 17.8 mi 6.6
Walkerville Public School Walkerville 17.9 mi 6.1
White Cloud Elementary School White Cloud 23.3 mi 7.2
GT Norman Elementary School Reed City 17.0 mi 7.5
Reed City Middle School Reed City 17.1 mi 6.7
Reed City High School Reed City 17.2 mi 4.3
White Cloud Junior High School White Cloud 23.6 mi 5.1
White Cloud High School White Cloud 23.6 mi 5.9
Mason County Eastern Elem Sch Custer 18.5 mi 6.5
Mason County Eastern Junior HighHigh School Custer 18.5 mi 7.0
Patricia St Clair Elementary School Hesperia 24.1 mi 5.8
Hesperia High School Hesperia 24.1 mi 7.9
David C Outwin Middle School Hesperia 24.1 mi 5.3
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Reed City 18.8 mi 5.3
Big Rapids Virtual School Big Rapids 22.1 mi 7.1
Big Rapids High School Big Rapids 22.5 mi 5.6
Pine River Area Middle School Leroy 21.9 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49304 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$39,567

Median Home Value

$110,700

Median Rent

$854/mo

Population

4,680

College Educated

10%

Homeownership

73.1%

Poverty Rate

24.4%

Median Age

47.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Baldwin Elementary School has a median household income of $39,567. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $110,700, with a median rent of $854/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville, MI 4.5
Britton Deerfield SchoolDeerfield Building Deerfield, MI 4.5
Edison Elementary School Detroit, MI 4.5
KND Elementary Brethren, MI 4.5
Roosevelt Elementary School Port Huron, MI 4.5
Roscommon Elementary School Roscommon, MI 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Baldwin Elementary School

What grades does Baldwin Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Baldwin Elementary School?

Baldwin Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 204 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Baldwin Elementary School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Baldwin Elementary School rank in MI?

Baldwin Elementary School is ranked #2842 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Baldwin Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Baldwin Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Baldwin Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Baldwin Elementary School has 18.8% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Baldwin Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Baldwin Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

98.0% of students at Baldwin 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
204
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Lake County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Baldwin Community Schools
District Enrollment
421
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$25,713
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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