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
Enrollment
147
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Fife Lake Elementary School — Students at Fife Lake Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
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 8 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: 4.0/10.
How Fife Lake Elementary School Compares
See how Fife Lake Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 24.5% (2022).
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 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
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (231) 879-3362
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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