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Very Good

#614 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 19% in state

Brownell Middle School

Middle School · Grosse Pointe Public Schools

260 CHALFONTE AVE, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

Enrollment

586

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.6

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grosse Pointe Farms

#3 of 4

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#46 of 497

In district

#8 of 12

Grosse Pointe Public Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Brownell Middle School

Brownell Middle School serves 586 students in grades 5-8 in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1 and 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #363 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 89th percentile. Students at Brownell show solid proficiency rates, with 69% performing at or above grade level in English Language Arts and reading, and 61% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics.

The school's academic score of 9.1 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence. The school serves a highly educated community where 68% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income is $128,176. The neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of 5.7%, with median home values around $345,500, indicating a stable, affluent residential area.

Brownell Middle School operates as a regular public school in Wayne County, positioned within a large suburban setting that provides students with both educational opportunities and community resources. The school serves the ZIP code 48236, which has a population of 31,130 residents in this well-established Grosse Pointe Farms community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.34 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.8%
Math vs. State Avg+28.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+25.2 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-0.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile75th
Resources & Environment7.9Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,147

Brownell Middle School — Students at Brownell Middle School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.5%
School
State
32.3%
ELA Proficiency 69.0%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 14 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
67%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
72%
2022
Math
59.5%
ELA
68.4%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Brownell Middle School Compares

See how Brownell Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
81th percentile in MI
Academic
8.4/10
8.4/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

260 CHALFONTE AVE, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Brownell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pierce Middle School (rated 8.1/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Park), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Parcells Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Woods), with a very similar rating. Additionally, J E Clark Preparatory Academy (rated 6.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Detroit), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Grosse Pointe Farms, see our Grosse Pointe Farms schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Kerby Elementary School Grosse Pointe Farms 0.3 mi 7.1
Richard Elementary School Grosse Pointe Farms 0.9 mi 9.2
John Monteith Elementary School Grosse Pointe Woods 1.1 mi 7.4
Marquette ElementaryMiddle School Detroit 1.1 mi 6.8
Grosse Pointe South High School Grosse Pointe Farms 1.3 mi 8.0
THE GROSSE POINTE ACADEMY Grosse Pointe Farms 1.2 mi 8.6
Diann BanksWilliamson Educational Center Detroit 1.1 mi 8.8
East English Village Preparatory Academy at Finney Detroit 1.1 mi 5.3
Lewis Maire Elementary School Grosse Pointe 1.4 mi 7.8
OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA ELEMENTARY Grosse Pointe Woods 1.4 mi 3.9
Tyrone Elementary School Harper Woods 1.6 mi 2.9
Discovery Creative Pathways Harper Woods Harper Woods 1.6 mi 6.0
ST CLARE OF MONTEFALCO SCHOOL Grosse Pointe Park 1.6 mi 7.9
Grosse Pointe North High School Grosse Pointe Woods 2.1 mi 8.4
Parcells Middle School Grosse Pointe Woods 2.3 mi 7.4
Stevens T Mason Elementary School Grosse Pointe Woods 2.4 mi 3.9
J E Clark Preparatory Academy Detroit 2.0 mi 6.7
George Defer Elementary School Grosse Pointe Park 2.3 mi 9.1
Pierce Middle School Grosse Pointe Park 2.4 mi 8.1
Beacon Elementary School Harper Woods 2.4 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48236 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$130,776

Median Home Value

$353,000

Median Rent

$1,588/mo

Population

31,383

College Educated

67.5%

Homeownership

91.3%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Brownell Middle School has a median household income of $130,776. It is a well-educated community where 68% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $353,000, with a median rent of $1,588/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Lincoln Middle School Warren, MI 7.6
Tappan Middle School Ann Arbor, MI 7.6
White Pines Intermediate School Grand Haven, MI 7.6
Hazel Park Junior High School Hazel Park, MI 7.5
Mill Creek Middle School Comstock Park, MI 7.5
Smith Middle School Troy, MI 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brownell Middle School

What grades does Brownell Middle School serve?

Brownell Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Brownell Middle School?

Brownell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 586 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Brownell Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Brownell Middle School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Brownell Middle School rank in MI?

Brownell Middle School is ranked #614 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Brownell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Brownell Middle School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Brownell Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brownell Middle School has 60.5% math proficiency and 69.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Brownell Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Brownell Middle School a Title I school?

No, Brownell Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brownell Middle School?

14.5% of students at Brownell Middle 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
66 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,110/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grosse Pointe Farms). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
586
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Wayne County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grosse Pointe Public Schools
District Enrollment
6,467
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$19,020
District Rank
#8 of 12

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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