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
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher
5.5:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Brookside Learning Center — Students at Brookside Learning Center score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 11 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: 1.2/10.
How Brookside Learning Center Compares
See how Brookside Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 40% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 69.5% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (269) 445-6260
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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