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Average

#2244 of 3,192 schools in MI

Bear Lake Elementary School

Elementary School · Bear Lake Schools

7748 CODY ST, Bear Lake, MI 49614

Enrollment

166

Student-Teacher

18.4:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,244 of 3,192

In Bear Lake

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Bear Lake Schools

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Bear Lake Elementary School

5.4/10

Elementary School in Bear Lake · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bear Lake High School

7.5/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Pleasantview Mennonite School

Nearby

3.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bear Lake Elementary School

Bear Lake Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bear Lake, MI, part of Bear Lake Schools. Bear Lake Elementary School serves approximately 166 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Bear Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,244 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Bear Lake Elementary School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.7 pts below MI schools
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 166 students, Bear Lake Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Bear Lake Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

34% of students at Bear Lake 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,914
Chronic Absenteeism34.3%

Bear Lake Elementary School — Students at Bear Lake Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.7% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 47.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.8% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 36 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
34.8%
ELA
34.4%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Bear Lake Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in MI
Academic
6.2/10
Average
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
5.2/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.3%

Location

7748 CODY ST, Bear Lake, MI 49614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bear Lake Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Frankfort Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Frankfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Ann Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Interlochen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, John F Kennedy Elem School (rated 5.5/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Manistee), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bear Lake, see our Bear Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bear Lake High School Bear Lake 0.0 mi 7.5
PLEASANTVIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Kaleva 3.8 mi
Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama 4.7 mi 8.2
Brethren Middle School Brethren 10.1 mi 6.7
Brethren High School Brethren 10.1 mi 5.8
KND Elementary Brethren 10.1 mi 3.3
Manistee ISD Center Programs Manistee 12.4 mi 5.8
Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia 14.1 mi 3.6
Benzie Academy Benzonia 14.4 mi 5.1
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville 11.4 mi 4.6
Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia 14.5 mi 6.5
Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia 14.5 mi 5.2
Frankfort High School Frankfort 15.5 mi 8.3
Frankfort Elementary School Frankfort 15.5 mi 7.6
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Manistee 14.6 mi 6.3
Casman Alternative Academy Manistee 15.0 mi 6.0
John F Kennedy Elem School Manistee 15.9 mi 5.5
Thomas Jefferson Elem School Manistee 15.3 mi 3.5
Manistee Middle High School Manistee 15.8 mi 6.4
Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen 23.1 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,389

Median Home Value

$203,900

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

2,903

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

95.4%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

53.4

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Crescent Academy PK1 Southfield, MI 5.4
Dr Martin Luther King Academy Muskegon Heights, MI 5.4
North Central Elementary School Hermansville, MI 5.4
Oakland Academy Portage, MI 5.4
PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Shelby Township, MI 5.4
ST ISAAC JOGUES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Clair Shores, MI 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bear Lake Elementary School

What grades does Bear Lake Elementary School serve?

Bear Lake Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Bear Lake Elementary School?

Bear Lake Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear Lake Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bear Lake Elementary School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bear Lake Elementary School rank in MI?

Bear Lake Elementary School ranks #2,244 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Bear Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bear Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Bear Lake Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bear Lake Elementary School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Bear Lake Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Bear Lake Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

62.0% of students at Bear Lake 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Manistee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.3%

District

Bear Lake Schools
District Enrollment
284
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,914
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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