Average
#1474 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 46% in state
Eastside Connections School
Elementary School · Niles Community Schools
111 SPRUCE ST, Niles, MI 49120
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Niles
#4 of 13
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#840 of 1,602
In district
#3 of 8
Niles Community Schools
Equity
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Eastside Connections School
Eastside Connections School serves 430 students from kindergarten through eighth grade in Niles, Michigan, offering a comprehensive elementary education in this small city setting. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 20.5:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for personalized attention. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide at #728 out of 3,204 Michigan schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts, with 62% achieving proficient or above levels across all grades. Math performance shows 51% of students meeting proficiency standards, indicating steady progress with continued room for growth in mathematical skills. Eastside Connections School draws families from the surrounding 49120 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $59,450 and median home values sit at $151,300.
The community of nearly 37,000 residents includes 21% with bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 14.7%. This diverse economic landscape reflects the school's commitment to serving students from varied backgrounds while maintaining strong academic standards in the heart of Berrien County.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Eastside Connections School is 20.5:1, 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
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Eastside Connections School — Students at Eastside Connections School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.4/10.
How Eastside Connections School Compares
See how Eastside Connections School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 51.53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 65% (2019) to 61.37% (2022).
Location
111 SPRUCE ST, Niles, MI 49120
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Eastside Connections School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Brandywine Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Darden Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby South Bend), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Niles Senior High School Niles | 0.3 mi | 3.8 |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles | 0.6 mi | — |
| Southside Special Educ School Niles | 0.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Niles Cedar Lane Niles | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| WAY Niles Niles | 0.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Niles Virtual School Niles | 0.7 mi | — |
| Northside Child Development Center Niles | 1.2 mi | — |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Niles | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Brandywine Middle School Niles | 2.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles | 2.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles | 2.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Ballard Elementary School Niles | 2.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Clay High School South Bend | 6.9 mi | 8.6 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend | 6.9 mi | 5.6 |
| Darden Elementary School South Bend | 7.1 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,940
Median Home Value
$166,800
Median Rent
$911/mo
Population
36,652
College Educated
20.5%
Homeownership
78.5%
Avg Commute
23.1 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
43
Community Profile
The community surrounding Eastside Connections School has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Amberly Elementary School Portage, MI | 6.5 |
| BYRON CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Byron Center, MI | 6.5 |
| Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit, MI | 6.5 |
| Bessie B Baker School Wayland, MI | 6.5 |
| Cameron Elementary School Gladstone, MI | 6.5 |
| Carver STEM Academy Detroit, MI | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Eastside Connections School
What grades does Eastside Connections School serve?
Eastside Connections School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Eastside Connections School?
Eastside Connections School has an enrollment of approximately 430 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Eastside Connections School?
The student-teacher ratio at Eastside Connections School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Eastside Connections School rank in MI?
Eastside Connections School is ranked #1474 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Eastside Connections School's MySchoolScout rating?
Eastside Connections School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Eastside Connections School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Eastside Connections School has 51.2% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Eastside Connections School a charter school?
No, Eastside Connections School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Eastside Connections School a Title I school?
No, Eastside Connections School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Eastside Connections School?
49.1% of students at Eastside Connections 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,386/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Niles). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 430
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 682-2585
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Niles Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,327
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,405
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
Other Schools in This District
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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