Below Average
#2591 of 3,192 schools in MI
Besser Elementary School
Elementary School · Alpena Public Schools
375 WILSON ST, Alpena, MI 49707
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,591 of 3,192
In Alpena
#6 of 8
public schools
In district
#7 of 9
Alpena Public Schools
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Besser Elementary School
Elementary School in Alpena · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Immanuel Lutheran School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Pied Piper School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Besser Elementary School
Besser Elementary School is a public elementary school in Alpena, MI, part of Alpena Public Schools. Besser Elementary School serves approximately 493 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 19.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Besser Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,591 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Besser Elementary School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.8 · Below Average
- District avg 5.1
- MI avg 6.1
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Besser Elementary School — Students at Besser Elementary School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.8%
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: 3.5/10.
How Besser Elementary School Compares
See how Besser Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
375 WILSON ST, Alpena, MI 49707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Besser Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sanborn Elementary (rated 6.5/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Ossineke), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rogers City Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 29.2 miles away, in nearby Rogers City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Posen Elementary School (rated 6.3/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Posen), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alpena, see our Alpena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 29.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alpena | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Pied Piper School Alpena | 0.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Lincoln Elementary Alpena | 1.6 mi | 4.0 |
| Ella M White Elementary Alpena | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alpena | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| ACES Academy Alpena | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Alpena High School Alpena | 2.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Thunder Bay Junior High School Alpena | 2.4 mi | 4.6 |
| Hinks Elementary Alpena | 5.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Sanborn Elementary Ossineke | 12.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Wilson Elementary Herron | 10.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Posen Consolidated High School Posen | 17.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Posen Elementary School Posen | 17.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Alcona Elementary School Harrisville | 29.3 mi | 4.0 |
| Alcona Community High School Harrisville | 29.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Hillman Elementary School Hillman | 21.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Hillman Community JrSr High School Hillman | 22.2 mi | 7.6 |
| ST IGNATIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rogers City | 28.6 mi | 5.9 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rogers City | 29.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Rogers City Elementary School Rogers City | 29.2 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,699
Median Home Value
$134,900
Median Rent
$642/mo
Population
22,050
College Educated
18.6%
Homeownership
76.4%
Avg Commute
15.6 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
47.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bunker Elementary Muskegon, MI | 4.8 |
| Erving Elementary School Woodhaven, MI | 4.8 |
| Gladwin Intermediate School Gladwin, MI | 4.8 |
| KALAMAZOO CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kalamazoo, MI | 4.8 |
| Keicher Elementary School Michigan Center, MI | 4.8 |
| Leonard Elementary School Ovid, MI | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Besser Elementary School
What grades does Besser Elementary School serve?
Besser Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Besser Elementary School?
Besser Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 493 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Besser Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Besser Elementary School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Besser Elementary School rank in MI?
Besser Elementary School ranks #2,591 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Besser Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Besser Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 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 Besser Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Besser Elementary School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Besser Elementary School a charter school?
No, Besser Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Besser Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Besser Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Besser Elementary School?
57.8% of students at Besser 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
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 493
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Alpena County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 18.7%
- Phone
- (989) 358-5100
Resources & Links
District
Alpena Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,626
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,611
- District Rank
- #7 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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