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Average

#1138 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 36% in state

Cardinal Elementary

School · Orchard View Schools

2310 MARQUETTE AVE, Muskegon, MI 49442

Enrollment

644

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Muskegon

#12 of 36

public schools

Michigan schools

#137 of 279

In district

#2 of 5

Orchard View Schools

School environment

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Cardinal Elementary

Cardinal Elementary is a regular public school located in Muskegon, Michigan, serving students from kindergarten through ninth grade. With an enrollment of 644 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 44 full-time equivalent teachers. Cardinal Elementary focuses on fostering a strong community within its mid-size suburban setting.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it at number 1959 among 3204 schools in Michigan, which reflects the 39th percentile statewide. Academically, Cardinal Elementary has a score of 2.9 out of 10, with 24% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 20% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is committed to student development and continuous academic growth.

Cardinal Elementary sits in a mid-size suburb where it plays an important role in the local community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.18 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.6%
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.7%
Math vs. State Avg-21.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+1.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,632

Cardinal Elementary — Students at Cardinal Elementary score 22% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.8%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 24.1%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
23%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
20.4%
ELA
23.7%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Cardinal Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in MI
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

2310 MARQUETTE AVE, Muskegon, MI 49442

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cardinal Elementary may also want to explore other schools in the area. Shettler School (rated 9.0/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Beach Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Three Oaks Public School Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Muskegon, see our Muskegon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Orchard View Middle School Muskegon 0.4 mi 6.0
Orchard View High School Muskegon 0.6 mi 4.5
Timberland Academy Muskegon 1.1 mi 5.3
Orchard View Early Elementary Muskegon 1.0 mi 6.4
Orchard View Community Education Muskegon 1.2 mi 7.3
Muskegon Middle School Muskegon 1.7 mi 4.6
LAKESHORE LEARNING CENTER Muskegon 1.7 mi
Wesley School Muskegon 1.8 mi 5.3
MUSKEGON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Muskegon 2.1 mi 6.9
Three Oaks Public School Academy Muskegon 2.2 mi 7.6
Muskegon Maritime Academy Muskegon 2.4 mi 5.1
ReethsPuffer High School Muskegon 2.9 mi 7.5
ReethsPuffer Elementary School Muskegon 3.0 mi 5.9
ReethsPuffer Intermediate Sch Muskegon 3.0 mi 4.2
Muskegon County Juvenile Transition Center Muskegon 2.9 mi
Beach Elementary School Muskegon 4.0 mi 8.1
Muskegon Covenant Academy Muskegon 3.1 mi 5.2
Oakview Elementary School Muskegon 3.3 mi 5.4
Muskegon High School Muskegon 3.4 mi 3.9
Shettler School Muskegon 4.7 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49442 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,069

Median Home Value

$116,100

Median Rent

$889/mo

Population

44,412

College Educated

11.1%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

16.7%

Median Age

36.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cardinal Elementary has a median household income of $50,069. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $116,100, with a median rent of $889/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Merritt Academy New Haven, MI 6.9
Central Academy Ann Arbor, MI 7.0
Caniff Liberty Academy Hamtramck, MI 6.8
SACRED HEART ACADEMY Mount Pleasant, MI 6.8
SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Southfield, MI 6.8
YESHIVAS DARCHEI TORAH-GIRLS Southfield, MI 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cardinal Elementary

What grades does Cardinal Elementary serve?

Cardinal Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 9th.

How many students attend Cardinal Elementary?

Cardinal Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cardinal Elementary rank in MI?

Cardinal Elementary is ranked #1138 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Cardinal Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Cardinal Elementary has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Cardinal Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cardinal Elementary has 19.8% math proficiency and 24.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cardinal Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Cardinal Elementary a Title I school?

No, Cardinal Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

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

86.6% of students at Cardinal Elementary 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

County Safety
Low (160/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 9th
Enrollment
644
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Muskegon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Orchard View Schools
District Enrollment
2,146
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,188
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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