Excellent
#36 of 460 private schools in MI
Top 8% of private schools
Emerson School
Elementary School
5425 SCIO CHURCH RD, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
7.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
332
Student-Teacher
7.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Ann Arbor
#5 of 17
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#21 of 307
About Emerson School
Emerson School serves 332 students in grades kindergarten through eighth in Ann Arbor's 48103 area, offering an exceptionally personalized learning environment with its remarkable 7.3:1 student-teacher ratio. With 46 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, this regular public elementary school has earned strong recognition, ranking 80th out of 460 schools statewide and receiving a solid 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school draws families from an affluent and highly educated community where 76% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $113,829.
This educated population creates a supportive academic environment, with home values averaging $440,600 and a low poverty rate of just 6.6%. The small class sizes allow teachers to provide individualized attention that many families in this accomplished community value. Students benefit from the school's commitment to maintaining low student-teacher ratios, which enables more personalized instruction and stronger relationships between educators and learners.
The K-8 structure allows younger students to learn alongside older peers while maintaining age-appropriate programming. Emerson School sits in a rural setting near town along Scio Church Road, providing students with a peaceful learning environment while remaining accessible to Ann Arbor's broader educational and cultural resources.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.3:1, Emerson School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Emerson School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, Emerson School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $27,058
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $27,760
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.03x — Stable
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 94%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $13.3M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 332 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Emerson School compares to 35 public schools serving similar grades in Ann Arbor, MI
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emerson School (this school) | 8.0 |
| High Point School | 9.1 |
| Honey Creek Community School | 8.0 |
| LocalBased SpecEd Programs | — |
| Washtenaw Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program | — |
| Lakewood Elementary School | 5.4 |
| Dicken Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Uriah H Lawton School | 8.7 |
| Abbot School | 5.2 |
| Eberwhite School | 8.4 |
| Haisley Elementary School | 7.5 |
| Slauson Middle School | 6.7 |
| Bach Elementary School | 9.0 |
| Ann Arbor Open at Mack School | 7.5 |
| Forsythe Middle School | 6.8 |
| Wines Elementary School | 8.1 |
| Central Academy | 7.0 |
| Progress Park | — |
| Burns Park Elementary School | 7.1 |
| Angell School | 8.0 |
| Pattengill School | 5.9 |
Showing 20 of 35 schools. View all schools in Ann Arbor
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
5425 SCIO CHURCH RD, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Emerson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DAYCROFT SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Uriah H Lawton School (rated 8.7/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Eberwhite School (rated 8.4/10, 3.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ann Arbor, see our Ann Arbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR Ann Arbor | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Honey Creek Community School Ann Arbor | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| High Point School Ann Arbor | 2.1 mi | 9.1 |
| Young Adult Programs Ann Arbor | 2.1 mi | — |
| LocalBased SpecEd Programs Ann Arbor | 2.1 mi | — |
| Washtenaw Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program Ann Arbor | 2.1 mi | — |
| DAYCROFT SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 3.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Ann Arbor | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Dicken Elementary School Ann Arbor | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| Abbot School Ann Arbor | 3.8 mi | 5.2 |
| VERITAS CHRISTI CATHOLIC H.S. Ann Arbor | 3.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Haisley Elementary School Ann Arbor | 4.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Uriah H Lawton School Ann Arbor | 3.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Eberwhite School Ann Arbor | 3.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Skyline High School Ann Arbor | 4.6 mi | 9.6 |
| Slauson Middle School Ann Arbor | 4.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Wines Elementary School Ann Arbor | 4.6 mi | 8.1 |
| Forsythe Middle School Ann Arbor | 4.6 mi | 6.8 |
| Pioneer High School Ann Arbor | 4.2 mi | 9.5 |
| Ann Arbor Open at Mack School Ann Arbor | 4.6 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48103 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$115,513
Median Home Value
$455,100
Median Rent
$1,760/mo
Population
54,635
College Educated
74.9%
Homeownership
66.2%
Avg Commute
21.4 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
40.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Emerson School has a median household income of $115,513. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $455,100, with a median rent of $1,760/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Angell School Ann Arbor, MI | 8.0 |
| Avoca Elementary School Avoca, MI | 8.0 |
| Brewster Elementary School Rochester Hills, MI | 8.0 |
| Bridgman Elementary School Bridgman, MI | 8.0 |
| Burton Elementary School Huntington Woods, MI | 8.0 |
| Chapman Elementary School Rockwood, MI | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Emerson School
What grades does Emerson School serve?
Emerson School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.
How many students attend Emerson School?
Emerson School has an enrollment of approximately 332 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Emerson School?
The student-teacher ratio at Emerson School is 7.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Emerson School rank in MI?
Emerson School is ranked #36 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is Emerson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Emerson School has a composite rating of 8.0 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.
Is Emerson School a private school?
Yes, Emerson School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Emerson School a religious school?
No, Emerson School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 8th
- Enrollment
- 332
- Gender Split
- 54% M / 46% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 6.8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 172 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- WASHTENAW
- Phone
- (734) 665-5662
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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