Average
#2099 of 3,190 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
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
576
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
5.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Niles
#7 of 13
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,110 of 1,602
In district
#5 of 8
Niles Community Schools
Equity
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Ballard Elementary School
Ballard Elementary School in Niles, Michigan, is a public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 576 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.3:1, Ballard offers personalized attention to help each child succeed. The school has 27 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support the academic needs of its diverse student body.
Ballard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it at the 45th percentile among Michigan schools in terms of state ranking. In ELA and reading proficiency, 33% of students are rated as proficient or above, while in math, that number rises to 39%. Although these scores indicate room for academic growth, Ballard is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment where students can thrive.
Located in the heart of Niles, a small city in Berrien County, Ballard Elementary School benefits from its close-knit community setting. The school's surroundings offer a safe and nurturing atmosphere for children to learn and grow.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School is 21.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
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Ballard Elementary School — Students at Ballard Elementary School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).
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 12 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: 5.7/10.
How Ballard Elementary School Compares
See how Ballard Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 38% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 35% (2019) to 33.1% (2022).
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. Moccasin Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Buchanan), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brandywine Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away), 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 | 5.4 |
| Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles | 1.7 mi | — |
| Southside Special Educ School Niles | 2.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Eastside Connections School Niles | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Northside Child Development Center Niles | 2.7 mi | — |
| Niles Senior High School Niles | 2.5 mi | 3.8 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Brandywine Middle School Niles | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles | 2.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Niles Cedar Lane Niles | 2.6 mi | 6.5 |
| WAY Niles Niles | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Niles Virtual School Niles | 2.6 mi | — |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 2.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Moccasin Elementary School Buchanan | 4.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Buchanan High School Buchanan | 4.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Buchanan Virtual Academy Buchanan | 4.5 mi | 6.9 |
| 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ballard Elementary School has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryant School Owosso, MI | 5.7 |
| Creative Montessori Academy Southgate, MI | 5.7 |
| Crissman Elementary School Shelby Township, MI | 5.7 |
| DIVINE CHILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dearborn, MI | 5.7 |
| Ethel C Bobcean Elem School Flat Rock, MI | 5.7 |
| Fern Persons Elementary School Olivet, MI | 5.7 |
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 is ranked #2099 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Ballard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Ballard Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballard Elementary School has 39.2% math proficiency and 33.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (2,386/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Niles). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (269) 683-5900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Niles Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,327
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,405
- District Rank
- #5 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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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