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Below Average

#2628 of 3,190 schools in MI

Donley Elementary School

Elementary School · East Lansing School District

2961 E LAKE LANSING RD, East Lansing, MI 48823

Enrollment

276

Student-Teacher

14.5:1

Score

4.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In East Lansing

#9 of 11

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,338 of 1,602

In district

#8 of 8

East Lansing School District

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Donley Elementary School

Donley Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in East Lansing, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, Donley has an enrollment of 276 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. The school's campus sits on E Lake Lansing Rd and offers a nurturing environment for young learners.

Donley Elementary School is situated in a large suburban area, providing easy access to community resources and amenities. With a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10, the school focuses on student development and academic progress. The state ranking of #1741 out of 3204 schools in Michigan places Donley around the 46th percentile, with an Academic Score of 4.8 out of 10.

In terms of proficiency rates, 41% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 30% are proficient or above in Math. Donley Elementary School is part of a vibrant suburban community that supports the growth and learning of its young residents.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.89 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.6%
Math vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.3 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-5.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
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 Ratio14.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,195

Donley Elementary School — Students at Donley Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.7%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 40.6%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 10 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
37%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
27.9%
ELA
37.8%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.4/10.

How Donley Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.9/10
18th percentile in MI
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
3.4/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

2961 E LAKE LANSING RD, East Lansing, MI 48823

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Donley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GREATER LANSING ISLAMIC SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Red Cedar School (rated 8.2/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Robert L Green Elementary (rated 7.5/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Lansing, see our East Lansing schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
MacDonald Middle School East Lansing 0.9 mi 5.9
Marble School East Lansing 0.9 mi 6.6
Whitehills Elementary School East Lansing 0.8 mi 6.0
ST THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH SCHOOL East Lansing 1.1 mi 6.9
STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL East Lansing 1.3 mi
East Lansing High School East Lansing 1.2 mi 8.0
Project SEARCH Mason 2.0 mi
Ingham ISD ASD Programs Mason 1.8 mi
Robert L Green Elementary East Lansing 1.8 mi 7.5
Glencairn School East Lansing 1.9 mi 6.4
Great Lakes Learning Academy MSHS East Lansing 2.6 mi 3.2
Great Lakes Learning Academy Alternative HS East Lansing 2.7 mi 6.0
Murphy Elementary School Haslett 2.1 mi 6.2
MONTESSORI RADMOOR SCHOOL Okemos 3.1 mi 5.3
GREATER LANSING ISLAMIC SCHOOL East Lansing 2.7 mi 9.1
Red Cedar School East Lansing 2.9 mi 8.2
Cole Academy East East Lansing 2.7 mi 4.0
Okemos Public MontessoriCentral Okemos 3.3 mi 6.6
Post Oak School Lansing 2.8 mi 4.6
Haslett High School Haslett 2.9 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$50,837

Median Home Value

$261,100

Median Rent

$1,127/mo

Population

49,379

College Educated

63.8%

Homeownership

43.9%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

31.8%

Median Age

24.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Donley Elementary School has a median household income of $50,837. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,100, with a median rent of $1,127/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
AA Rather School Ionia, MI 4.9
Academy for Business and Technology Elementary Dearborn, MI 4.9
Beechview Elementary School Farmington Hills, MI 4.9
Burton Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 4.9
Dansville Elementary School Dansville, MI 4.9
Evart Elementary School Evart, MI 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Donley Elementary School

What grades does Donley Elementary School serve?

Donley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Donley Elementary School?

Donley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 276 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Donley Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Donley Elementary School rank in MI?

Donley Elementary School is ranked #2628 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Donley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Donley Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Donley Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Donley Elementary School has 29.7% math proficiency and 40.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Donley Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Donley Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

57.6% of students at Donley 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,452/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Lansing). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
276
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Ingham County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East Lansing School District
District Enrollment
3,713
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,739
District Rank
#8 of 8

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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