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Below Average

#2843 of 3,190 schools in MI

Betsie Valley School

Elementary School · Benzie County Central Schools

17936 CADILLAC HWY, Thompsonville, MI 49683

Enrollment

140

Student-Teacher

14:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan elementary schools

#1,441 of 1,602

In district

#6 of 6

Benzie County Central Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Betsie Valley School

Betsie Valley School is a charming elementary school located in the rural community of Thompsonville, Michigan. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 140 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14:1. With ten full-time equivalent teachers, Betsie Valley offers a personalized learning environment where each child receives individual attention.

Betsie Valley School focuses on fostering a nurturing atmosphere that supports the social and emotional development of its young learners. While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement—state ranking at 2776 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (13th percentile) and an average proficiency rate of around 28% in both ELA/Reading and Math—the school is committed to student development beyond just test scores. The community values a holistic approach to education, recognizing the importance of supporting each child's unique needs and growth.

Betsie Valley School sits in a serene rural setting, surrounded by natural beauty that offers students plenty of opportunities for outdoor learning and exploration. This idyllic location makes it an inviting place for families seeking a close-knit community where children can thrive both academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 140 students, Betsie Valley 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, Betsie Valley 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 Progress2.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.91 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.7%
Math vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.2 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile29th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,124

Betsie Valley School — Students at Betsie Valley School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.9%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 27.2%
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
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
27.9%
ELA
21.7%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Betsie Valley School Compares

See how Betsie Valley School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
11th percentile in MI
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
10 teachers

Location

17936 CADILLAC HWY, Thompsonville, MI 49683

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Betsie Valley School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blair Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Ann Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Interlochen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Homestead Hills Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Benzonia), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Thompsonville, see our Thompsonville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia 10.2 mi 6.7
Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia 10.3 mi 5.0
Benzie Academy Benzonia 10.3 mi 4.7
Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia 11.7 mi 6.0
Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen 13.6 mi 6.8
Brethren Middle School Brethren 13.8 mi 8.3
Brethren High School Brethren 13.8 mi 4.2
KND Elementary Brethren 13.8 mi 4.5
Bear Lake High School Bear Lake 11.4 mi 6.2
Bear Lake Elementary School Bear Lake 11.4 mi 4.3
INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY Interlochen 12.7 mi 8.7
PLEASANTVIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Kaleva 13.4 mi
Highpoint Virtual Academy of MIchigan Mesick 12.9 mi 6.2
Floyd M Jewett Elem School Mesick 12.9 mi 5.5
Mesick Consolidated JrSr High School Mesick 13.1 mi 6.3
Buckley Community Schools Buckley 13.0 mi 6.6
Westwoods Elementary School Traverse City 17.0 mi 5.1
Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama 15.7 mi 7.8
Blair Elementary School Traverse City 17.5 mi 7.6
Silver Lake Elementary School Traverse City 18.5 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49683 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,875

Median Home Value

$173,500

Median Rent

$785/mo

Population

2,070

College Educated

20.3%

Homeownership

81.2%

Avg Commute

28.3 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

49.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Betsie Valley School has a median household income of $57,875. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,500, with a median rent of $785/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Britton Deerfield SchoolDeerfield Building Deerfield, MI 4.5
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, MI 4.5
Covert Elementary School Covert, MI 4.6
Gaines Elementary School Gaines, MI 4.6
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC ACADEMY Newport, MI 4.4
Twin Rivers Elementary School Muir, MI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Betsie Valley School

What grades does Betsie Valley School serve?

Betsie Valley School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Betsie Valley School?

Betsie Valley School has an enrollment of approximately 140 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Betsie Valley School?

The student-teacher ratio at Betsie Valley School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Betsie Valley School rank in MI?

Betsie Valley School is ranked #2843 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Betsie Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?

Betsie Valley School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Betsie Valley School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Betsie Valley School has 28.9% math proficiency and 27.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Betsie Valley School a charter school?

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

Is Betsie Valley School a Title I school?

No, Betsie Valley School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Betsie Valley School?

72.9% of students at Betsie Valley 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 – 5th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
Teachers (FTE)
10
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Manistee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Benzie County Central Schools
District Enrollment
1,183
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,948
District Rank
#6 of 6

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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