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Excellent

#341 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 11% in state

Based on limited data

Blackbird Elementary School

Elementary School · Harbor Springs School District

421 EAST LAKE ST, Harbor Springs, MI 49740

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

163

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harbor Springs

#1 of 2

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#230 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 3

Harbor Springs School District

School environment

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Blackbird Elementary School

Blackbird Elementary School serves 163 students in pre-kindergarten through second grade in Harbor Springs, Michigan. This early elementary school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.5 to 1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention during these crucial foundational years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #407 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile among Michigan elementary schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its youngest learners during their critical early academic development. Blackbird Elementary is situated in a stable community where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education. The surrounding Harbor Springs area has a median household income of $80,250 and a relatively low poverty rate of 6.7%.

Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an education-focused environment that supports student achievement. With median home values around $297,800, the neighborhood reflects a well-established community invested in quality schools. Located on East Lake Street, Blackbird Elementary operates in Harbor Springs' remote town setting, offering students a close-knit educational environment within Emmet County's scenic northern Michigan landscape.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 163 students, Blackbird Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.4Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on MI state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$19,878

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Blackbird Elementary School Compares

See how Blackbird Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
89th percentile in MI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
35%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

421 EAST LAKE ST, Harbor Springs, MI 49740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Blackbird Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Lincoln School (rated 9.4/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sheridan School (rated 9.3/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ottawa Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 5.1 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harbor Springs, see our Harbor Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Harbor Springs Middle School Harbor Springs 0.2 mi 7.6
Harbor Springs High School Harbor Spgs 0.3 mi 6.7
Lincoln School Petoskey 4.6 mi 9.4
CharEm Alternative Schools Charlevoix 4.5 mi
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Petoskey 4.7 mi 6.6
Central Elementary School Petoskey 4.7 mi 7.0
Petoskey Montessori Elem School Petoskey 4.9 mi
Sheridan School Petoskey 5.2 mi 9.3
Ottawa Elementary School Petoskey 5.1 mi 8.0
Petoskey High School Petoskey 5.1 mi 8.4
HARBOR LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harbor Springs 4.0 mi 6.2
ST MICHAEL ACADEMY Petoskey 5.1 mi
Petoskey Middle School Petoskey 5.3 mi 7.7
Concord Academy Petoskey Petoskey 6.1 mi 7.9
Alanson Public School Alanson 9.5 mi 7.9
MorganShaw School Boyne City 15.6 mi 5.3
Boyne City Elementary School Boyne City 15.8 mi 7.0
Boyne City Middle School Boyne City 15.8 mi 6.0
Boyne City High School Boyne City 15.9 mi 5.5
Pellston MiddleHigh School Pellston 12.8 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,230

Median Home Value

$332,600

Median Rent

$997/mo

Population

7,277

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

88.8%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

55

Community Profile

The community surrounding Blackbird Elementary School has a median household income of $85,230. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,600, with a median rent of $997/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Ford Early Learning Center Ypsilanti, MI 8.1
Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac, MI 8.1
Lathers Early Childhood and Kindergarten Center Garden City, MI 8.1
Oakland Academy Portage, MI 8.1
ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY Bay City, MI 8.2
BROOKFIELD ACADEMY - TROY Troy, MI 8.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Blackbird Elementary School

What grades does Blackbird Elementary School serve?

Blackbird Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend Blackbird Elementary School?

Blackbird Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Blackbird Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Blackbird Elementary School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Blackbird Elementary School rank in MI?

Blackbird Elementary School is ranked #341 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Blackbird Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Blackbird Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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.

Is Blackbird Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Blackbird Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Blackbird Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Blackbird Elementary School?

35.0% of students at Blackbird 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
Low (236/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harbor Springs). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Emmet County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harbor Springs School District
District Enrollment
711
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$21,143
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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