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Below Average

#2726 of 3,192 schools in MI

Emerson School

Elementary School · Ionia Public Schools

645 HACKETT ST, Ionia, MI 48846

Enrollment

171

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,726 of 3,192

In Ionia

#5 of 8

public schools

In district

#4 of 8

Ionia Public Schools

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Emerson School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Ionia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ss Peter & Paul Elementary School

5.2/10

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

Ionia Seventh-day Adventist Elementary

Nearby

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

About Emerson School

Emerson School is a public elementary school in Ionia, MI, part of Ionia Public Schools. Emerson School serves approximately 171 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Emerson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,726 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Emerson School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 171 students, Emerson 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.

38% of students at Emerson 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 Progress3.2Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.06 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-18.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.5 pts
Overall Proficiency29% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)30% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment5.6Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,410
Chronic Absenteeism38%

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 34.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 45.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (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
82%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2020*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
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: 3.2/10.

How Emerson School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
15th percentile in MI
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.6/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.0%

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 7.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Saranac), which scores notably higher. Another option is SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, AA Rather School (rated 4.9/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 6.0
Jefferson School Ionia 1.1 mi 4.4
Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility Ionia 1.3 mi
Handlon Correctional Facility Ionia 1.5 mi
Douglas R Welch High School Ionia 2.1 mi 4.5
Ionia High School Ionia 2.1 mi 6.7
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Ionia 1.6 mi
Freedom Acres School Ionia 2.2 mi 6.5
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 4.0
Coon School Ionia 6.4 mi
Twin Rivers Elementary School Muir 7.0 mi 3.9
Saranac Elementary School Saranac 7.6 mi 7.1
Saranac JrSr High School Saranac 7.6 mi 6.8
Belding High School Belding 10.5 mi 5.4
Belding Middle School Belding 10.8 mi 6.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake, MI 4.5
Luther C Klager Elem School Manchester, MI 4.5
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Saint Johns, MI 4.5
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville, MI 4.6
Crossroads Charter Academy K5 Big Rapids, MI 4.4
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids, MI 4.4

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 ranks #2,726 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Emerson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Emerson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Emerson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Emerson School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
59 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.0%

District

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

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