Skip to main content

Needs Improvement

#3160 of 3,192 schools in MI

Crawford School

Elementary School · Excelsior Township S/D #1

5521 M 72 NE, Kalkaska, MI 49646

Enrollment

40

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

2.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,160 of 3,192

In Kalkaska

#4 of 4

public schools

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Crawford School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Crawford School

2.6/10

Elementary School in Kalkaska · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kalkaska High School

6.4/10

6.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kalkaska Elementary School

7.7/10

6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Crawford School

Crawford School is a public elementary school in Kalkaska, MI, part of Excelsior Township S/D #1. Crawford School serves approximately 40 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Crawford School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,160 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Crawford School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares3.5 pts below MI schools
  • This school 2.6 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 40 students, Crawford School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Crawford School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

38% of students at Crawford School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.75 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,533
Chronic Absenteeism37.5%

Crawford School — Students at Crawford School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 40.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
46.7% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
44.5%
ELA
74.5%
2012
Math
54.5%
ELA
74.5%
2013
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Crawford School Compares

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

Overall Score
2.6/10
1th percentile in MI
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

Location

5521 M 72 NE, Kalkaska, MI 49646

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Crawford School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mill Creek Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kalkaska Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 6.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grayling Elementary School (rated 6.7/10, 17.8 miles away, in nearby Grayling), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kalkaska, see our Kalkaska schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Kalkaska High School Kalkaska 6.2 mi 6.4
Kalkaska Elementary School Kalkaska 6.3 mi 7.7
Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska 6.6 mi 5.0
Mancelona High School Mancelona 12.7 mi 7.6
Mancelona Elementary School Mancelona 12.9 mi 4.0
Mancelona Middle School Mancelona 13.0 mi 7.3
Rapid City Elementary School Rapid City 13.6 mi 4.4
Shawono Center Grayling 12.4 mi
North Central Academy Campus Bay City 17.5 mi 6.9
Forest Area Middle School Fife Lake 14.4 mi 4.1
Forest Area High School Fife Lake 14.4 mi 6.1
Alba School Elmira 18.8 mi 7.0
Bellaire MiddleHigh School Bellaire 20.0 mi 7.7
John R Rodger Elementary School Bellaire 20.1 mi 4.2
Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake 17.3 mi 4.5
Grayling High School Grayling 16.3 mi 7.7
Great Lakes Online Education Grayling 16.3 mi 7.0
Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg 16.7 mi 8.5
Grayling Middle School Grayling 17.5 mi 7.1
Grayling Elementary School Grayling 17.8 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49646 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,188

Median Home Value

$167,500

Median Rent

$712/mo

Population

8,573

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

83.6%

Avg Commute

28.5 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

43.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hillsdale Preparatory School Hillsdale, MI 3.3
CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Washington Township, MI 3.9
Glenn Public School Glenn, MI 4.0
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Haven, MI 4.0
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wayland, MI 4.0
CEDAR LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedar Lake, MI

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Crawford School

What grades does Crawford School serve?

Crawford School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Crawford School?

Crawford School has an enrollment of approximately 40 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Crawford School?

The student-teacher ratio at Crawford School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Crawford School rank in MI?

Crawford School ranks #3,160 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Crawford School's MySchoolScout rating?

Crawford School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Crawford School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Crawford School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Crawford School a charter school?

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

Is Crawford School a Title I school?

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

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

62.5% of students at Crawford 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
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
40
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kalkaska County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.5%

District

Excelsior Township S/D #1
District Enrollment
40
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,533
District Rank
#1 of 1

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

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.