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Below Average

#2827 of 3,190 schools in MI

Donelson Hills Elementary School

Elementary School · Waterford School District

2690 WEWOKA RD, Waterford, MI 48328

Enrollment

350

Student-Teacher

17.5:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Waterford

#15 of 16

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,433 of 1,602

In district

#14 of 16

Waterford School District

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Donelson Hills Elementary School

Donelson Hills Elementary School is a regular public school located in the suburban area of Waterford, Michigan. Serving kindergarten through fifth grade, this elementary school has an enrollment of 350 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Donelson Hills Elementary is 3.8 out of 10, reflecting the academic score of 2.6/10, placing it in the 21st percentile among Michigan schools.

In terms of proficiency rates, only 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA and reading, while 19% meet these standards in math. Despite these challenges, Donelson Hills Elementary focuses on student development and provides a supportive environment for learning. The school is situated in the larger suburban community of Waterford, offering its students access to a variety of local resources and activities outside of the classroom.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.4%
Math vs. State Avg-26.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.5 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)23%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,329

Donelson Hills Elementary School — Students at Donelson Hills Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 23%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 18.5%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 26.3%
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
30%
ELA
33%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
16%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Donelson Hills Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in MI
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

2690 WEWOKA RD, Waterford, MI 48328

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Donelson Hills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Orchard Lake), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cooley Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SAVE OUR COMMUNITY KORPORATION (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Pontiac), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waterford, see our Waterford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Oakside Prep Academy Waterford 0.3 mi 6.3
Momentum Academy Waterford 0.6 mi 5.6
Virtual Learning Academy Consortium Waterford 0.7 mi 5.7
Waterford Mott High School Waterford 1.1 mi 5.7
Waterford Lifetracks Program Crary Campus Waterford 0.9 mi
Waterford Durant High School Waterford 0.9 mi 7.7
Childrens Village School Pontiac 1.2 mi 7.6
Waterford Montessori Academy Waterford 1.7 mi 5.4
Alcott School Pontiac 2.0 mi 5.1
SAVE OUR COMMUNITY KORPORATION Pontiac 2.0 mi 7.7
Whitman Elementary School Pontiac 2.1 mi 5.8
Cooley Elementary School Waterford 2.4 mi 7.8
Pontiac Academy for Excellence Pontiac 2.1 mi 5.7
Roosevelt Elementary School Orchard Lake 3.0 mi 8.2
OUR LADY OF REFUGE SCHOOL Orchard Lake 3.2 mi 5.4
Mason Middle School Waterford 3.5 mi 7.0
Knudsen Elementary School Waterford 2.7 mi 6.6
Great Lakes Academy Pontiac 2.8 mi 7.2
Riverside Elementary School Waterford 2.8 mi 6.4
Haviland Elementary School Waterford 2.8 mi 3.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48328 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,788

Median Home Value

$210,800

Median Rent

$1,041/mo

Population

25,409

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

65.9%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Donelson Hills Elementary School has a median household income of $69,788. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $210,800, with a median rent of $1,041/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Alcona Elementary School Harrisville, MI 4.6
Cavanaugh School Lansing, MI 4.6
Central Elementary School Linden, MI 4.6
EE Knight Elementary School Elsie, MI 4.6
Fordline Elementary School Southgate, MI 4.6
HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Grand Rapids, MI 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Donelson Hills Elementary School

What grades does Donelson Hills Elementary School serve?

Donelson Hills Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Donelson Hills Elementary School?

Donelson Hills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 350 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Donelson Hills Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Donelson Hills Elementary School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Donelson Hills Elementary School rank in MI?

Donelson Hills Elementary School is ranked #2827 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Donelson Hills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Donelson Hills Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Donelson Hills Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donelson Hills Elementary School has 18.5% math proficiency and 26.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Donelson Hills Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Donelson Hills Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

81.7% of students at Donelson Hills 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

County Safety
Low (7/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
350
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
81.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Oakland County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waterford School District
District Enrollment
6,892
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,194
District Rank
#14 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 methodology

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