Average
#1344 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 42% in state
Besser Elementary School
Elementary School · Alpena Public Schools
375 WILSON ST, Alpena, MI 49707
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
493
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alpena
#4 of 8
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#777 of 1,602
In district
#5 of 9
Alpena Public Schools
Academic growth
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Besser Elementary School
Besser Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Alpena, Michigan. Serving students from kindergarten through fifth grade, Besser has an enrollment of 493 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is in a remote town, offering a close-knit community atmosphere.
While the MySchoolScout rating for Besser Elementary School is 5.0 out of 10, placing it at the 44th percentile among Michigan schools, there are opportunities for academic growth and development. On state assessments, 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, and 30% meet proficiency standards in Math. The school continues to focus on student development and improving its educational offerings.
Besser Elementary School is situated in a small, remote town where the community values close relationships and support for local education initiatives.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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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 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.9/10.
How Besser Elementary School Compares
See how Besser Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 33% (2019) to 29.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 41% (2019) to 42.77% (2022).
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 8.4/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Ossineke), which scores notably higher. Another option is Ella M White Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lincoln Elementary (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary Alpena | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Ella M White Elementary Alpena | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alpena | 1.8 mi | 3.9 |
| ACES Academy Alpena | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Alpena High School Alpena | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Thunder Bay Junior High School Alpena | 2.4 mi | 5.0 |
| Hinks Elementary Alpena | 5.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Sanborn Elementary Ossineke | 12.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Wilson Elementary Herron | 10.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Posen Consolidated High School Posen | 17.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Posen Elementary School Posen | 17.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Alcona Elementary School Harrisville | 29.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Alcona Community High School Harrisville | 29.6 mi | 7.0 |
| Hillman Elementary School Hillman | 21.7 mi | 6.4 |
| 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 | 4.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Besser Elementary School has a median household income of $50,699. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,900, with a median rent of $642/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Beadle Lake Elementary School Battle Creek, MI | 6.6 |
| Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 6.6 |
| Coopersville South Elementary School Coopersville, MI | 6.6 |
| Detroit Academy of Arts and Sciences Detroit, MI | 6.6 |
| Detroit Achievement Academy Detroit, MI | 6.6 |
| Eagle Crest Charter Academy Holland, MI | 6.6 |
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 is ranked #1344 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Besser Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Besser Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Besser Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Besser Elementary School has 30.5% math proficiency and 43.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (1,533/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alpena). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (989) 358-5100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alpena Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,626
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,611
- District Rank
- #5 of 9
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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