Below Average
#2685 of 3,192 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
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
140
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,685 of 3,192
In district
#5 of 6
Benzie County Central Schools
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Betsie Valley School
Elementary School in Thompsonville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Benzie Central Middle School
10.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Benzie Central SR High School
10.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Betsie Valley School
Betsie Valley School is a public elementary school in Thompsonville, MI, part of Benzie County Central Schools. Betsie Valley School serves approximately 140 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Betsie Valley School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #2,685 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Betsie Valley School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 4.9
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 140 students, Betsie Valley School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Betsie Valley School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
49% of students at Betsie Valley School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 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: 3.7/10.
How Betsie Valley School Compares
See how Betsie Valley School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Westwoods Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lake Ann Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 13.6 miles away, in nearby Interlochen), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Blair Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), 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 | 5.2 |
| Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia | 10.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Benzie Academy Benzonia | 10.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia | 11.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen | 13.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Brethren Middle School Brethren | 13.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Brethren High School Brethren | 13.8 mi | 5.8 |
| KND Elementary Brethren | 13.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Bear Lake High School Bear Lake | 11.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Bear Lake Elementary School Bear Lake | 11.4 mi | 5.4 |
| 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 | 5.9 |
| Floyd M Jewett Elem School Mesick | 12.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Mesick Consolidated JrSr High School Mesick | 13.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Buckley Community Schools Buckley | 13.0 mi | 7.4 |
| Westwoods Elementary School Traverse City | 17.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama | 15.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Blair Elementary School Traverse City | 17.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Silver Lake Elementary School Traverse City | 18.5 mi | 4.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City, MI | 4.6 |
| Emerson School Ionia, MI | 4.5 |
| Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake, MI | 4.5 |
| Luther C Klager Elem School Manchester, MI | 4.5 |
| ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, MI | 4.5 |
| Sterling Elementary School Sterling, MI | 4.7 |
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 ranks #2,685 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Betsie Valley School's MySchoolScout rating?
Betsie Valley School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 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 Betsie Valley School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Betsie Valley School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 49.3%
- Phone
- (231) 378-4164
Resources & Links
District
Benzie County Central Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,183
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,948
- District Rank
- #5 of 6
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