Skip to main content

Average

#2435 of 3,190 schools in MI

Fife Lake Elementary School

Elementary School · Forest Area Community Schools

7741 SHIPPY RD SOUTHWEST, Fife Lake, MI 49633

Enrollment

147

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 3rd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fife Lake

#2 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,249 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 3

Forest Area Community Schools

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Fife Lake Elementary School

Fife Lake Elementary School serves 147 students in prekindergarten through third grade in the rural community of Fife Lake, Michigan. This Grand Traverse County school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking 324th out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among Michigan schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10, Fife Lake Elementary demonstrates strong educational outcomes for its young learners. The school draws families from a stable rural community where the median household income is $68,750 and median home values average $158,600. About one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11 percent.

This economic stability provides a supportive foundation for student learning. Located on Shippy Road Southwest, Fife Lake Elementary sits in the heart of northern Michigan's lake country, where families value the small-town atmosphere and outdoor recreation opportunities that define this close-knit rural community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 147 students, Fife Lake Elementary 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.

Located in a rural area, Fife Lake Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.47 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency24.5%
Math vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-17.4 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,953

Fife Lake Elementary School — Students at Fife Lake Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.6%
School
State
38.1%
ELA Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
43.1%

Based on 8 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
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Fife Lake Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
24th percentile in MI
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

7741 SHIPPY RD SOUTHWEST, Fife Lake, MI 49633

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Fife Lake Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mill Creek Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores notably higher. Another option is Woodland School (rated 8.0/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kalkaska Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Kalkaska), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fife Lake, see our Fife Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest Area Middle School Fife Lake 2.9 mi 4.3
Forest Area High School Fife Lake 2.9 mi 5.7
Woodland School Traverse City 8.9 mi 8.0
Manton Consolidated Middle School Manton 11.9 mi 6.1
Manton Consolidated High School Manton 11.9 mi 5.6
Manton Consolidated Elem School Manton 11.9 mi 5.5
Kingsley Area High School Kingsley 8.7 mi 4.1
Kingsley Area Middle School Kingsley 9.1 mi 7.8
Kingsley Area Elementary School Kingsley 9.1 mi 6.4
Courtade Elementary School Traverse City 11.4 mi 7.2
Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg 13.8 mi 8.5
Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska 13.7 mi 6.5
Kalkaska High School Kalkaska 13.9 mi 5.6
Kalkaska Elementary School Kalkaska 14.0 mi 7.7
East Middle School Traverse City 13.4 mi 5.9
Cherry Knoll Elementary School Traverse City 13.5 mi 6.0
Grand Traverse Academy Traverse City 13.7 mi 5.3
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON MIDDLE SCHOOL Traverse City 13.6 mi 5.3
Traverse City High School Traverse City 15.2 mi 6.5
TRAVERSE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Traverse City 14.4 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49633 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,567

Median Home Value

$174,000

Median Rent

$1,110/mo

Population

3,325

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

90.4%

Avg Commute

38.6 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

51

Community Profile

The community surrounding Fife Lake Elementary School has a median household income of $69,567. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,000, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
AUBURN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn, MI 5.2
Battle Creek Montessori Academy Springfield, MI 5.2
Congress School Sturgis, MI 5.2
HURON VALLEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ypsilanti, MI 5.2
Pittsford Area Elem School Pittsford, MI 5.2
ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Charlotte, MI 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Fife Lake Elementary School

What grades does Fife Lake Elementary School serve?

Fife Lake Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 3rd.

How many students attend Fife Lake Elementary School?

Fife Lake Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 147 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Fife Lake Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Fife Lake Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Fife Lake Elementary School rank in MI?

Fife Lake Elementary School is ranked #2435 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Fife Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Fife Lake Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Fife Lake Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fife Lake Elementary School has 24.6% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Fife Lake Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Fife Lake Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

72.1% of students at Fife Lake 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
147
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Grand Traverse County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forest Area Community Schools
District Enrollment
509
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,200
District Rank
#2 of 3

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.