Below Average
#2721 of 3,192 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
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Enrollment
147
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
4.5
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,721 of 3,192
In Fife Lake
#2 of 3
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Forest Area Community Schools
School environment
8.5 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Fife Lake Elementary School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Fife Lake Elementary School
Elementary School in Fife Lake · grades Pre-K – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest Area Middle School
2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Forest Area High School
2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fife Lake Elementary School
Fife Lake Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fife Lake, MI, part of Forest Area Community Schools. Fife Lake Elementary School serves approximately 147 students, and covers grades Pre-K-3rd, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Fife Lake Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,721 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Fife Lake Elementary School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 147 students, Fife Lake Elementary 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.
Fife Lake Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
42% of students at Fife Lake Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fife Lake Elementary School — Students at Fife Lake Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 30 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: 2.7/10.
How Fife Lake Elementary School Compares
See how Fife Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 Courtade Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 11.4 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 miNeighborhood 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Emerson School Ionia, MI | 4.5 |
| Luther C Klager Elem School Manchester, MI | 4.5 |
| ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, MI | 4.5 |
| Betsie Valley School Thompsonville, MI | 4.6 |
| Crossroads Charter Academy K5 Big Rapids, MI | 4.4 |
| Linwood Elementary School Linwood, MI | 4.4 |
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 ranks #2,721 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Fife Lake Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fife Lake Elementary 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 Fife Lake Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fife Lake Elementary School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.5%
- Phone
- (231) 879-3362
Resources & Links
District
Forest Area Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,200
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.