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Below Average

#2826 of 3,190 schools in MI

Gaines Elementary School

Elementary School · Swartz Creek Community Schools

300 LANSING ST, Gaines, MI 48436

Enrollment

108

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan elementary schools

#1,432 of 1,602

In district

#7 of 8

Swartz Creek Community Schools

About Gaines Elementary School

Gaines Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Gaines, Michigan. Spanning from kindergarten through fifth grade, the school serves 108 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 21.6:1. With five full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Gaines Elementary aims to provide personalized attention and support for every child.

Gaines Elementary has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10, placing it in the 23rd percentile among Michigan schools. In terms of academic performance, 43% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA), while 24% meet proficiency standards in math. These scores indicate areas where Gaines Elementary is focusing on student development and growth.

Gaines Elementary School is situated in a quiet rural area, offering a close-knit community feel for its students. The setting provides a peaceful environment conducive to learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 108 students, Gaines 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Gaines Elementary School is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Gaines 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 Progress5.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.39 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.8Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.4%
Math vs. State Avg-18.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+0.5 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-11.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile30th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment2.7Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,813

Gaines Elementary School — Students at Gaines Elementary School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.1%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 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
27%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
23.3%
ELA
42.8%

* 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: 5.3/10.

How Gaines Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in MI
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Growth
5.3/10
Above average
Environment
2.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

300 LANSING ST, Gaines, MI 48436

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gaines Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Bertha Neal School (rated 7.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Durand), which scores notably higher. Another option is Syring Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Swartz Creek), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Linden Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Linden), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gaines, see our Gaines schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Byron Area Elementary School Byron 3.4 mi 4.4
Byron Area High School Byron 3.6 mi 6.2
Byron Area Middle School Byron 3.6 mi 7.0
Robert Kerr School Durand 4.7 mi 4.3
Durand Area High School Durand 4.9 mi 4.2
Durand Middle School Durand 5.0 mi 6.3
Bertha Neal School Durand 5.3 mi 7.6
Syring Elementary School Swartz Creek 6.4 mi 7.1
Swartz Creek Virtual Learning Center Swartz Creek 6.8 mi 6.0
Swartz Creek Middle School Swartz Creek 6.8 mi 5.6
Swartz Creek High School Swartz Creek 6.9 mi 4.5
Linden High School Linden 6.5 mi 6.8
Central Elementary School Linden 6.5 mi 4.6
Linden Middle School Linden 6.7 mi 4.8
Dieck Elementary School Swartz Creek 8.9 mi 4.7
GENESEE ACADEMY Swartz Creek 9.2 mi 7.9
Hyatt Elementary Linden 7.6 mi 5.1
Linden Elementary School Linden 7.6 mi 6.5
Elms Road Elementary School Swartz Creek 9.1 mi 5.6
Morrish Elementary School Swartz Creek 9.2 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48436 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$91,895

Median Home Value

$251,800

Median Rent

$1,125/mo

Population

4,251

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

92.3%

Avg Commute

36.3 min

Poverty Rate

4.6%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gaines Elementary School has a median household income of $91,895. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,800, with a median rent of $1,125/month. The local poverty rate of 4.6% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 36 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
BETHEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City, MI 4.6
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville, MI 4.5
Britton Deerfield SchoolDeerfield Building Deerfield, MI 4.5
NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era, MI 4.5
New Bedford Academy Lambertville, MI 4.5
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, MI 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gaines Elementary School

What grades does Gaines Elementary School serve?

Gaines Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Gaines Elementary School?

Gaines Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 108 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gaines Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gaines Elementary School is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gaines Elementary School rank in MI?

Gaines Elementary School is ranked #2826 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Gaines Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gaines Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Gaines Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gaines Elementary School has 24.1% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gaines Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Gaines Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

47.2% of students at Gaines 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 →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (90/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
108
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Genesee County
Data Year
2023–2024

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

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