Below Average
#2723 of 3,190 schools in MI
Brown School
Elementary School · St. Joseph Public Schools
2027 Brown School Road, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
136.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
409
Student-Teacher
136.3:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saint Joseph
#4 of 6
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,381 of 1,602
In district
#3 of 5
St. Joseph Public Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Brown School
Brown School is a regular public elementary school in Saint Joseph, Michigan, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 409 students and three full-time equivalent teachers, the student-to-teacher ratio at Brown School is relatively high, indicating that there are opportunities for additional staffing to better support individual learning needs. The school performs well academically, with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10, placing it in the 69th percentile among Michigan schools.
In state assessments, 66% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels in ELA/Reading, while 61% do so in Math. These scores suggest that Brown School is focusing on student development and has room for academic growth. Brown School is situated in a small suburban area near the center of Saint Joseph, providing a warm and nurturing environment for young learners.
The school’s setting offers easy access to local amenities and resources, making it a welcoming community hub for families with children.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Brown School is 136.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Brown School — Students at Brown School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.1%
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: 3.7/10.
How Brown School Compares
See how Brown School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 59.86% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 64.86% (2022).
Location
2027 Brown School Road, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Brown School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Benton Harbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saint Joseph, see our Saint Joseph schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 1.1 mi | 7.6 |
| St Joseph High School Saint Joseph | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Stewart Elementary School Stevensville | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| Upton Middle School Saint Joseph | 1.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Lincoln School Saint Joseph | 2.2 mi | 4.5 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph | 2.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Stevensville | 3.3 mi | 7.8 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor | 2.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Lakeshore Middle School Stevensville | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Lakeshore High School Stevensville | 3.7 mi | 8.2 |
| BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 2.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor | 3.4 mi | 6.7 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor | 3.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Bridge Academy of Southwest Michigan Benton Harbor | 3.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Clarke School Saint Joseph | 3.3 mi | 3.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,763
Median Home Value
$287,300
Median Rent
$1,099/mo
Population
23,575
College Educated
48.6%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
17.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Brown School has a median household income of $101,763. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,300, with a median rent of $1,099/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Bennett Elementary School Detroit, MI | 4.8 |
| Central Elementary School Portage, MI | 4.8 |
| Clara B Bolen Elementary School Tawas City, MI | 4.8 |
| Cumberland School Lansing, MI | 4.8 |
| Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg, MI | 4.8 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Fraser, MI | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Brown School
What grades does Brown School serve?
Brown School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Brown School?
Brown School has an enrollment of approximately 409 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Brown School?
The student-teacher ratio at Brown School is 136.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Brown School rank in MI?
Brown School is ranked #2723 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Brown School's MySchoolScout rating?
Brown School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Brown School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brown School has 60.8% math proficiency and 65.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Brown School a charter school?
No, Brown School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Brown School a Title I school?
No, Brown School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brown School?
30.1% of students at Brown 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (378/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 409
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 136.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 3
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 926-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
St. Joseph Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,914
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,856
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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