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Average

#1739 of 3,190 schools in MI

Brookside Learning Center

School · Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District

61662 DAILEY RD, Cassopolis, MI 49031

Enrollment

66

Student-Teacher

5.5:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cassopolis

#3 of 4

public schools

Michigan schools

#176 of 279

In district

#2 of 2

Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Brookside Learning Center

Brookside Learning Center serves 66 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Cassopolis, Michigan, offering an exceptionally personalized educational experience with just 12 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school maintains an impressive 5.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for individualized attention that's rare in today's educational landscape. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #234 out of 3,204 Michigan schools and placing in the 93rd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence despite its small size, demonstrating that intimate learning environments can produce outstanding results. Brookside's comprehensive PK-12 structure means students can build lasting relationships with teachers and peers throughout their entire educational journey, creating a close-knit school community where everyone knows each other. The small enrollment allows the school to adapt quickly to individual student needs and maintain strong family-school partnerships.

Located on Dailey Road in rural Cass County, Brookside Learning Center sits within a stable community where the median household income is $67,500 and homeownership reflects long-term investment in the area. The school serves families in this peaceful rural setting, where students can focus on learning while enjoying the benefits of small-town Michigan life.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 66 students, Brookside Learning Center 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.5:1, Brookside Learning Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Brookside Learning Center 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-12.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.0Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg+2.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$137,412

Brookside Learning Center — Students at Brookside Learning Center score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.1%
School
State
32.8%
ELA Proficiency 38.8%
School
State
42.0%

Based on 11 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
69.5%
ELA
69.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2022
Math
41.3%
ELA
25%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Brookside Learning Center Compares

See how Brookside Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in MI
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

61662 DAILEY RD, Cassopolis, MI 49031

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Brookside Learning Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. North Pointe Center (rated 8.3/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Dowagiac), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kincheloe Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Dowagiac), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Patrick Hamilton Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Dowagiac), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cassopolis, see our Cassopolis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Dowagiac Middle School Dowagiac 4.6 mi 6.3
Sam Adams Elementary School Cassopolis 4.3 mi 6.0
Cassopolis Alternative Ed Cassopolis 4.4 mi
Cassopolis High School Cassopolis 4.4 mi 6.6
Justus Gage Elementary School Dowagiac 6.0 mi 6.7
Cassopolis Middle School Cassopolis 4.6 mi 6.7
Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac 6.0 mi 7.6
CALVARY BIBLE ACADEMY Dowagiac 6.3 mi
North Pointe Center Dowagiac 6.2 mi 8.3
Union High School Dowagiac 6.2 mi 6.7
Pathfinders Alternative Ed Dowagiac 6.3 mi 6.9
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 5.6 mi 5.5
Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg 7.4 mi 4.8
Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg 7.5 mi 5.0
Edwardsburg Middle School Edwardsburg 7.6 mi 6.8
Edwardsburg High School Edwardsburg 7.7 mi 7.0
Edwardsburg Alternative Learning Center Edwardsburg 7.8 mi 4.7
Kincheloe Elementary School Dowagiac 8.3 mi 8.1
Eagle Lake Elementary School Edwardsburg 8.0 mi 4.7
Northpoint Elementary School Granger 10.3 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49031 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,369

Median Home Value

$217,700

Median Rent

$847/mo

Population

8,320

College Educated

29.5%

Homeownership

79.1%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

10.8%

Median Age

49.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Brookside Learning Center has a median household income of $70,369. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $217,700, with a median rent of $847/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.8%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Bangor Career Academy Bangor, MI 6.2
REFORMED HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo, MI 6.3
Vista Meadows Academy Dearborn Heights, MI 6.3
FACTORYVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Athens, MI 6.1
Tecumseh Virtual Academy Tecumseh, MI 6.1
Barry ISD Special Education Hastings, MI 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brookside Learning Center

What grades does Brookside Learning Center serve?

Brookside Learning Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Brookside Learning Center?

Brookside Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 66 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Brookside Learning Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Brookside Learning Center is 5.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Brookside Learning Center rank in MI?

Brookside Learning Center is ranked #1739 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Brookside Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Brookside Learning Center has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Brookside Learning Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brookside Learning Center has 44.1% math proficiency and 38.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Brookside Learning Center a charter school?

No, Brookside Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Brookside Learning Center a Title I school?

No, Brookside Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brookside Learning Center?

78.8% of students at Brookside Learning Center 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,168/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Cass County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District
District Enrollment
305
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$163,426
District Rank
#2 of 2

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 methodology

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