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Excellent

#302 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 9% in state

Carter Elementary School

Elementary School · Montrose Community Schools

PO Box 3129, Montrose, MI 48457

Enrollment

386

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Montrose

#1 of 4

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#205 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 4

Montrose Community Schools

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Carter Elementary School

Carter Elementary School is a public elementary school in Montrose, MI, part of the Montrose Community Schools. The school serves approximately 386 students in grades Pre-K – 4th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 90.6th percentile among MI schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 39% proficiency in math, 0 points above the state average and 41% in reading/language arts, 3 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.6/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $64,583, where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a fringe rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Carter Elementary School 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.54 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Math vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+9.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,496

Carter Elementary School — Students at Carter Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.5%
School
State
38.1%
ELA Proficiency 40.5%
School
State
43.1%

Based on 8 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
38%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
42%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Carter Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.2/10
91th percentile in MI
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

PO Box 3129, Montrose, MI 48457

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Carter Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clio Intermediate School (rated 6.5/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Clio), a more accessible option. Another option is New Lothrop Elementary School (rated 6.2/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby New Lothrop), a more accessible option. Additionally, Seymour Elementary School (rated 6.1/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Flushing), a more accessible option. For more schools in Montrose, see our Montrose schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Montrose Alternative Education Center Montrose 0.1 mi 3.9
HillMcCloy High School Montrose 0.2 mi 7.5
KuehnHaven Middle School Montrose 0.3 mi 6.7
New Lothrop Elementary School New Lothrop 5.9 mi 6.2
New Lothrop High School New Lothrop 6.0 mi 4.7
Flushing High School Flushing 7.5 mi 4.0
Flushing Middle School Flushing 7.4 mi 4.2
Birch Run High School Birch Run 6.5 mi 5.9
Birch Run Progressive High School Birch Run 6.5 mi
Elms Elementary School Flushing 7.0 mi 6.0
North Elementary School Birch Run 6.6 mi 5.0
Clio Intermediate School Clio 5.9 mi 6.5
ST ROBERT BELLARMINE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Flushing 8.0 mi 5.8
Central Elementary School Flushing 8.0 mi 5.5
Flushing Early Childhood Center Flushing 8.1 mi 5.9
Marshall Greene Middle School Birch Run 7.1 mi 5.1
Raider Virtual Academy Flushing 8.4 mi 5.5
Springview Elementary School Flushing 8.1 mi 5.7
Seymour Elementary School Flushing 9.2 mi 6.1
Marion D Crouse Instr Center Flint 9.7 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48457 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$64,583

Median Home Value

$164,500

Median Rent

$864/mo

Population

8,694

College Educated

13.9%

Homeownership

80.4%

Avg Commute

28.6 min

Poverty Rate

21.5%

Median Age

41.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Carter Elementary School has a median household income of $64,583. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,500, with a median rent of $864/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Bird Elementary School Plymouth, MI 8.2
Bruce Collins Elementary School Sterling Heights, MI 8.2
CABRINI ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL Allen Park, MI 8.2
CRESCENT ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL Canton, MI 8.2
Cascades Elementary School Jackson, MI 8.2
Central Grade School Traverse City, MI 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Carter Elementary School

What grades does Carter Elementary School serve?

Carter Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Carter Elementary School?

Carter Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 386 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Carter Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Carter Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Carter Elementary School rank in MI?

Carter Elementary School is ranked #302 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Carter Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Carter Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 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 Carter Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Carter Elementary School has 38.5% math proficiency and 40.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Carter Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Carter Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Carter Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

67.1% of students at Carter Elementary 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
34 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (90/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Genesee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Montrose Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,468
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,542
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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