Very Good
#510 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 16% in state
Cooley Elementary School
Elementary School · Waterford School District
2000 HIGHFIELD RD, Waterford, MI 48329
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
371
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Waterford
#1 of 16
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#332 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 16
Waterford School District
Equity
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Cooley Elementary School
Cooley Elementary School serves 371 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Waterford, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the top-performing elementary schools in the state. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10, the school ranks #448 out of 3,204 Michigan elementary schools, placing it in the 86th percentile statewide. The school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 16.1 to 1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, Cooley Elementary demonstrates solid performance with 56% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across all grade levels. In mathematics, 49% of students meet or exceed proficiency standards, providing a strong foundation for continued learning. Located at 2000 Highfield Road in Oakland County, the school serves families in the 48329 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $86,768 and median home values reach $234,600.
The community shows educational commitment, with 29% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.7%. Cooley Elementary operates within Waterford's large suburban setting, serving a stable community of nearly 24,000 residents who value educational achievement and family-oriented neighborhood living.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Cooley Elementary School — Students at Cooley Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Cooley Elementary School Compares
See how Cooley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 50.58% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 59% (2019) to 58.25% (2022).
Location
2000 HIGHFIELD RD, Waterford, MI 48329
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cooley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Waterford Montessori Academy (rated 7.3/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Knudsen Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Schoolcraft Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Waterford, see our Waterford schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48329 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,777
Median Home Value
$245,800
Median Rent
$1,323/mo
Population
24,022
College Educated
29.2%
Homeownership
89.9%
Avg Commute
27.7 min
Poverty Rate
5.2%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Cooley Elementary School has a median household income of $85,777. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,800, with a median rent of $1,323/month. The local poverty rate of 5.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Allendale Early Childhood Center Allendale, MI | 7.8 |
| Alward Elementary School Hudsonville, MI | 7.8 |
| Beaverton Elementary School Beaverton, MI | 7.8 |
| Chatfield School Lapeer, MI | 7.8 |
| ClimaxScotts Elementary School Scotts, MI | 7.8 |
| Deckerville Elementary School Deckerville, MI | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cooley Elementary School
What grades does Cooley Elementary School serve?
Cooley Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Cooley Elementary School?
Cooley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 371 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cooley Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cooley Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cooley Elementary School rank in MI?
Cooley Elementary School is ranked #510 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Cooley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cooley Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Cooley Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cooley Elementary School has 49.0% math proficiency and 56.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Cooley Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cooley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cooley Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cooley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cooley Elementary School?
49.6% of students at Cooley 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 371
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Oakland County
- Phone
- (248) 673-0300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Waterford School District- District Enrollment
- 6,892
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,194
- District Rank
- #1 of 16
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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