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Below Average

#2914 of 3,190 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

4.3

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bear Lake

#2 of 2

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,477 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 2

Bear Lake Schools

About Bear Lake Elementary School

Bear Lake Elementary School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Bear Lake, Michigan. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and has an enrollment of 166 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1. There are nine full-time equivalent teachers at the school.

Bear Lake Elementary School's academic performance currently ranks in the 27th percentile statewide, reflecting room for growth in test scores where 37% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 34% do so in Math. Despite these challenges, Bear Lake Elementary continues to focus on student development and community engagement. The school is situated in a tranquil rural setting that offers a close-knit community atmosphere.

Bear Lake Elementary School provides a nurturing environment where students can thrive amidst the natural beauty of northern Michigan.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 166 students, Bear Lake Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Bear Lake 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 Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32.9%
Math vs. State Avg-7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,466

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 34.0%
School
State
34.6%
ELA Proficiency 36.6%
School
State
42.3%

Based on 14 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
42%
ELA
52%
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: 2.9/10.

How Bear Lake Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in MI
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
9 teachers

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 8.2/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Frankfort), which scores notably higher. Another option is John F Kennedy Elem School (rated 7.3/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Manistee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lake Ann Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 23.1 miles away, in nearby Interlochen), which scores notably higher. 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 6.2
PLEASANTVIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Kaleva 3.8 mi
Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama 4.7 mi 7.8
Brethren Middle School Brethren 10.1 mi 8.3
Brethren High School Brethren 10.1 mi 4.2
KND Elementary Brethren 10.1 mi 4.5
Manistee ISD Center Programs Manistee 12.4 mi 7.9
Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia 14.1 mi 6.0
Benzie Academy Benzonia 14.4 mi 4.7
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville 11.4 mi 4.5
Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia 14.5 mi 5.0
Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia 14.5 mi 6.7
Frankfort High School Frankfort 15.5 mi 6.0
Frankfort Elementary School Frankfort 15.5 mi 8.2
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Manistee 14.6 mi 6.0
Casman Alternative Academy Manistee 15.0 mi 7.3
John F Kennedy Elem School Manistee 15.9 mi 7.3
Thomas Jefferson Elem School Manistee 15.3 mi 5.1
Manistee Middle High School Manistee 15.8 mi 4.8
Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen 23.1 mi 6.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bear Lake Elementary School has a median household income of $71,389. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,900, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Northeastern Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 4.3
Thomas White School Saginaw, MI 4.3
Country Elementary School Pinckney, MI 4.2
Harms Elementary School Detroit, MI 4.2
Montague Elementary School Mount Morris, MI 4.2
New Dawn Academy of Warren Sterling Hts, MI 4.2

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 is ranked #2914 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Bear Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bear Lake Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Bear Lake Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bear Lake Elementary School has 34.0% math proficiency and 36.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (353/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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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