Average
#2512 of 3,192 schools in MI
Ballard Elementary School
Elementary School · Niles Community Schools
1601 WEST CHICAGO RD, Niles, MI 49120
Enrollment
576
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
576
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,512 of 3,192
In Niles
#12 of 13
public schools
In district
#7 of 8
Niles Community Schools
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Ballard Elementary School
Elementary School in Niles · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Niles Adventist School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
St Mary School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ballard Elementary School
Ballard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Niles, MI, part of Niles Community Schools. Ballard Elementary School serves approximately 576 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 21.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,512 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Ballard Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Ballard Elementary School runs 21.3:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
31% of students at Ballard Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ballard Elementary School — Students at Ballard Elementary School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.1/10.
How Ballard Elementary School Compares
See how Ballard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1601 WEST CHICAGO RD, Niles, MI 49120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ballard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Eastside Connections School (rated 8.4/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Moccasin Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Buchanan), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles | 1.0 mi | 6.4 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Niles | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles | 1.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles | 1.7 mi | — |
| Southside Special Educ School Niles | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| Eastside Connections School Niles | 2.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Northside Child Development Center Niles | 2.7 mi | — |
| Niles Senior High School Niles | 2.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Brandywine Middle School Niles | 2.7 mi | 5.7 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Niles Cedar Lane Niles | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| WAY Niles Niles | 2.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Niles Virtual School Niles | 2.6 mi | — |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Moccasin Elementary School Buchanan | 4.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Buchanan High School Buchanan | 4.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Buchanan Virtual Academy Buchanan | 4.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Buchanan Step Up Buchanan | 4.5 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,940
Median Home Value
$166,800
Median Rent
$911/mo
Population
36,652
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
43
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Attwood School Lansing, MI | 5.0 |
| Belle River Elementary School Marine City, MI | 5.0 |
| Cedar View Elementary School Cedar Springs, MI | 5.0 |
| Centreville Elementary School Centreville, MI | 5.0 |
| Edgemont Elementary School Belleville, MI | 5.0 |
| Elms Elementary School Flushing, MI | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ballard Elementary School
What grades does Ballard Elementary School serve?
Ballard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ballard Elementary School?
Ballard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 576 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ballard Elementary School rank in MI?
Ballard Elementary School ranks #2,512 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Ballard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ballard Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 46% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Ballard Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ballard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ballard Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ballard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard Elementary School?
80.0% of students at Ballard 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 576
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 80.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berrien County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 31.4%
- Phone
- (269) 683-5900
Resources & Links
District
Niles Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,327
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,405
- District Rank
- #7 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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