Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#3161 of 3,190 schools in MI

Clarke School

Elementary School · St. Joseph Public Schools

515 EAST GLENLORD RD, Saint Joseph, MI 49085

Enrollment

465

Student-Teacher

22.1:1

Score

3.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Saint Joseph

#6 of 6

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,587 of 1,602

In district

#5 of 5

St. Joseph Public Schools

About Clarke School

Clarke School is a regular public elementary school located in the small suburban area of Saint Joseph, Michigan. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, Clarke has an enrollment of 465 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.1:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Clarke reflects areas for growth; while the MySchoolScout Rating is 5.0 out of 10 and it ranks 1845th in Michigan, the school aims to improve its proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (52%) and Math (51%).

Despite these challenges, Clarke School continues to focus on student development and providing a supportive educational environment for its young learners. The school is situated in a small suburban setting that offers a close-knit community feel, making it an appealing choice for families looking for a neighborhood elementary school experience.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Clarke School is 22.1:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-7.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.5%
Math vs. State Avg+5.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.5 pts
Overall Proficiency46%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,751

Clarke School — Students at Clarke School score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 51.9%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 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
71%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
59%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
45.4%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Clarke School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in MI
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

515 EAST GLENLORD RD, Saint Joseph, MI 49085

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clarke School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Benton Harbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hollywood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Saint Joseph, see our Saint Joseph schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph 0.2 mi 5.5
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph 0.9 mi 6.1
BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor 1.6 mi 8.8
Upton Middle School Saint Joseph 1.5 mi 5.8
Hollywood Elementary School Stevensville 2.1 mi 8.6
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor 2.5 mi 6.9
LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph 2.2 mi 7.6
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor 3.0 mi 6.2
CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville 2.5 mi 6.6
River School Sodus 2.5 mi 4.2
Lakeshore Middle School Stevensville 3.0 mi 7.4
Lakeshore High School Stevensville 3.3 mi 8.2
Lincoln School Saint Joseph 3.8 mi 4.5
Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor 4.1 mi 6.7
Roosevelt Elementary School Stevensville 3.4 mi 7.8
Brown School Saint Joseph 3.3 mi 4.8
Career and Alternative Pathways to Education Center Benton Harbor 4.3 mi 7.6
RIVER OF LIFE SCHOOL Benton Harbor 4.3 mi 5.6
Martin Luther King Jr Elementary Benton Harbor 4.4 mi 6.6
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph 3.9 mi 7.0

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 Clarke 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
Academy of the Americas at Logan Detroit, MI 3.1
Bangor Central School Bay City, MI 3.2
Cesar Chavez Academy Intermediate Detroit, MI 3.2
Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 3.2
University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary Detroit, MI 3.2
Verellen Elementary School Essexville, MI 3.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clarke School

What grades does Clarke School serve?

Clarke School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Clarke School?

Clarke School has an enrollment of approximately 465 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clarke School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clarke School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clarke School rank in MI?

Clarke School is ranked #3161 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Clarke School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clarke School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Clarke School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clarke School has 51.2% math proficiency and 51.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clarke School a charter school?

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

Is Clarke School a Title I school?

No, Clarke School is not currently a Title I school.

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

23.9% of students at Clarke 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

County Safety
Average (378/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
465
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Berrien County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

St. Joseph Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,914
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,856
District Rank
#5 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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.