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Below Average

#3001 of 3,190 schools in MI

Gier Elementary School

Elementary School · Hillsdale Community Schools

175 Spring Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242

Enrollment

436

Student-Teacher

16.8:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hillsdale

#2 of 2

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,510 of 1,602

In district

#5 of 5

Hillsdale Community Schools

About Gier Elementary School

Gier Elementary School in Hillsdale, Michigan, is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fourth grade students. With an enrollment of 436 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.8:1, Gier Elementary provides a supportive learning environment with 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 reflects its focus on student development; it ranks 18th percentile among Michigan schools for academic performance.

Students at Gier Elementary are working to improve proficiency levels in both ELA/Reading and Math, with current averages standing at 34% proficient or above in reading and 30% proficient or above in math. Located in the town of Hillsdale, Gier Elementary is part of a close-knit community where neighbors often know each other. The school’s setting offers a traditional small-town atmosphere that fosters a sense of belonging among students and families alike.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency32%
Math vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,968

Gier Elementary School — Students at Gier Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.0%
School
State
37.8%
ELA Proficiency 34.0%
School
State
43.3%

Based on 10 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
42%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
27.1%
ELA
32%

* 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: 2.4/10.

How Gier Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
6th percentile in MI
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
2.4/10
Below average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
26 teachers

Location

175 Spring Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gier Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Williams Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bailey Early Childhood Center (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reynolds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Reading), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hillsdale, see our Hillsdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Hillsdale Preparatory School Hillsdale 0.6 mi 3.7
Hillsdale High School Hillsdale 0.6 mi 5.9
Horizon Alternative School Hillsdale 0.6 mi 5.2
Davis Middle School Hillsdale 0.6 mi 6.8
Bailey Early Childhood Center Hillsdale 0.9 mi 7.8
Will Carleton Charter School Academy Hillsdale 1.1 mi 3.9
Greenfield School Hillsdale 1.6 mi 5.6
Jonesville High School Jonesville 3.5 mi 5.1
Williams Elementary School Jonesville 3.6 mi 8.6
Jonesville Pathways Jonesville 4.2 mi 5.9
Jonesville Middle School Jonesville 4.2 mi 6.1
North AdamsJerome MiddleHigh School North Adams 6.8 mi 6.1
North AdamsJerome Elem School North Adams 6.8 mi 3.9
Reynolds Elementary School Reading 7.8 mi 6.0
Reading High School Reading 8.0 mi 6.6
CamdenFrontier K12 School Camden 10.5 mi 5.7
Litchfield High School Litchfield 10.0 mi 5.9
Litchfield Elementary School Litchfield 10.0 mi 2.9
AMISH SCHOOL #1 Camden 12.1 mi 1.9
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsford 9.4 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,813

Median Home Value

$182,900

Median Rent

$770/mo

Population

14,768

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gier Elementary School has a median household income of $57,813. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,900, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Carpenter School Ann Arbor, MI 4.1
Douglas Road Elementary School Lambertville, MI 4.1
Harrison Park Academy Grand Rapids, MI 4.1
Lakewood Elementary School Lake Odessa, MI 4.1
Manor Elementary School Monroe, MI 4.1
Martin G Atkins Elementary School Saginaw, MI 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gier Elementary School

What grades does Gier Elementary School serve?

Gier Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Gier Elementary School?

Gier Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 436 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Gier Elementary School is 16.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gier Elementary School rank in MI?

Gier Elementary School is ranked #3001 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Gier Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gier Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Gier Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gier Elementary School has 30.0% math proficiency and 34.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gier Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Gier Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

64.7% of students at Gier 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

City Safety
Elevated (939/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hillsdale). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
436
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
26
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Hillsdale County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hillsdale Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,262
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,607
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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