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Average

#1123 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 35% in state

Emerson School

Elementary School · Ionia Public Schools

645 HACKETT ST, Ionia, MI 48846

Enrollment

171

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ionia

#3 of 8

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#660 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 8

Ionia Public Schools

Academic growth

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Emerson School

Emerson School in Ionia, Michigan, is a regular public elementary school serving pre-kindergarten through fifth grade students. With an enrollment of 171 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school has 11 full-time equivalent teachers to support its diverse learning needs. Located on Hackett Street in the heart of Ionia, Emerson School offers a community-focused educational environment.

The academic performance at Emerson School reflects areas for growth, with 33% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 23% proficient or above in Math across all grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.1 out of 10, placing it around the 45th percentile among Michigan schools based on state rankings. Emerson School is situated in a town setting, fostering a close-knit community where parents and teachers work together to support student development and growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 171 students, Emerson School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.7Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.4%
Math vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-1.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.5Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,277

Emerson School — Students at Emerson School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.6%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 33.3%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
23.4%
ELA
35.9%

* 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: 7.7/10.

How Emerson School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.9/10
65th percentile in MI
Academic
5.9/10
5.9/10
Growth
7.7/10
Above average
Environment
6.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

645 HACKETT ST, Ionia, MI 48846

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Emerson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saranac Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Saranac), which scores slightly higher. Another option is RB Boyce Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ionia, see our Ionia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.8 mi
School Distance Rating
SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ionia 0.3 mi 5.2
IONIA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ionia 0.6 mi
Ionia Middle School Ionia 0.6 mi 5.8
Jefferson School Ionia 1.1 mi 5.1
Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility Ionia 1.3 mi
Handlon Correctional Facility Ionia 1.5 mi
Douglas R Welch High School Ionia 2.1 mi 5.1
Ionia High School Ionia 2.1 mi 5.8
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Ionia 1.6 mi
Freedom Acres School Ionia 2.2 mi 8.3
AA Rather School Ionia 2.3 mi 4.9
North LeValley Elem School Ionia 2.4 mi
Haynor School Ionia 2.7 mi
RB Boyce Elementary School Ionia 3.9 mi 7.1
Coon School Ionia 6.4 mi
Twin Rivers Elementary School Muir 7.0 mi 4.4
Saranac Elementary School Saranac 7.6 mi 7.9
Saranac JrSr High School Saranac 7.6 mi 4.6
Belding High School Belding 10.5 mi 3.7
Belding Middle School Belding 10.8 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48846 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,717

Median Home Value

$172,300

Median Rent

$804/mo

Population

21,940

College Educated

12%

Homeownership

69.8%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

39.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Emerson School has a median household income of $66,717. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,300, with a median rent of $804/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. 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
Bad Axe Elementary School Bad Axe, MI 6.9
East Shore Leadership Academy Port Huron, MI 6.9
Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor, MI 6.9
GREAT REVELATIONS ACADEMY Dearborn, MI 6.9
Grandville Central Elementary School Grandville, MI 6.9
Jessie Rouse School Saginaw, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Emerson School

What grades does Emerson School serve?

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

How many students attend Emerson School?

Emerson School has an enrollment of approximately 171 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Emerson School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Emerson School rank in MI?

Emerson School is ranked #1123 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Emerson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Emerson School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Emerson School has 22.6% math proficiency and 33.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Emerson School a charter school?

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

Is Emerson School a Title I school?

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

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

70.8% of students at Emerson 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 (740/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
171
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Ionia County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ionia Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,733
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,410
District Rank
#2 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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