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
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Betsie Valley School — Students at Betsie Valley School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
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
↓ 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: 2.7/10.
How Betsie Valley School Compares
See how Betsie Valley School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 27.17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 21.72% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (231) 378-4164
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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