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Very Good

#429 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 13% in state

Barkell Elementary School

Elementary School · Hancock Public Schools

1201 NORTH ELEVATION ST, Hancock, MI 49930

Enrollment

255

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hancock

#1 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#283 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 2

Hancock Public Schools

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Barkell Elementary School

Barkell Elementary School serves 255 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Hancock, Michigan, delivering strong academic performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. The school ranks impressively at #396 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 88th percentile among Michigan schools. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, Barkell maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, allowing for more individualized attention.

Academic results reflect this commitment to quality education, with 62% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 59% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. The school serves a diverse community where 44% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $60,109. The neighborhood's median home value of $185,100 reflects a stable residential area, though 14.6% of families face economic challenges.

As a regular public elementary school, Barkell provides foundational education in a supportive environment where students can develop essential academic skills. The school's consistent performance and strong state ranking demonstrate its effectiveness in preparing young learners for future success. Located in the remote town setting of Hancock in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Barkell Elementary serves as an important educational anchor for families in this tight-knit community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.06 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency61.5%
Math vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19.6 pts
Overall Proficiency58%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+21.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,066

Barkell Elementary School — Students at Barkell Elementary School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 61.5%
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
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
72%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
54.3%
ELA
61.3%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Barkell Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.9/10
87th percentile in MI
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

1201 NORTH ELEVATION ST, Hancock, MI 49930

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barkell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Range Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby South Range), which scores slightly higher. Another option is EB Holman Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Atlantic Mine), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Houghton Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Houghton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hancock, see our Hancock schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Hancock MiddleHigh School Hancock 0.6 mi 5.9
Copper Country Learning Center Hancock 1.0 mi 6.9
Houghton Elementary School Houghton 1.7 mi 7.2
Houghton Middle School Houghton 2.3 mi 8.2
Houghton Central High School Houghton 2.3 mi 8.9
COPPER COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chassell 5.0 mi 3.0
Dollar BayTamarack City Area K12 School Dollar Bay 4.2 mi 7.5
South Range Elementary School South Range 5.4 mi 8.8
Copper Island Academy Calumet 4.7 mi 7.2
Jeffers High School Painesdale 7.6 mi 7.5
EB Holman Elementary School Atlantic Mine 6.2 mi 8.2
Chassell K12 School Chassell 9.0 mi 7.3
Calumet High School Calumet 10.0 mi 8.1
CLK Elementary School Calumet 10.0 mi 5.3
Washington Middle School Calumet 10.0 mi 7.7
Lake LindenHubbell Schools Lake Linden 9.5 mi 7.3
CHSHorizons School Calumet 15.9 mi 7.1
PELKIE MENNONITE SCHOOL Pelkie 23.2 mi
Baraga School Baraga 25.3 mi 7.5
LAnse Area School Lanse 27.1 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49930 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,946

Median Home Value

$211,900

Median Rent

$749/mo

Population

7,199

College Educated

43.5%

Homeownership

65.7%

Poverty Rate

13.3%

Median Age

33.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Barkell Elementary School has a median household income of $67,946. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $211,900, with a median rent of $749/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.3%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barkell Elementary School

What grades does Barkell Elementary School serve?

Barkell Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Barkell Elementary School?

Barkell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 255 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Barkell Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barkell Elementary School rank in MI?

Barkell Elementary School is ranked #429 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Barkell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Barkell Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Barkell Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barkell Elementary School has 58.5% math proficiency and 61.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Barkell Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Barkell Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

60.4% of students at Barkell 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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
City Safety
Average (554/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hancock). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
255
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Houghton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hancock Public Schools
District Enrollment
577
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,531
District Rank
#1 of 2

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 methodology

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