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Very Good

#526 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 17% in state

Independence Elementary School

Elementary School · Clarkston Community School District

6850 HUBBARD RD, Clarkston, MI 48348

Enrollment

457

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Clarkston

#6 of 10

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#339 of 1,602

In district

#7 of 12

Clarkston Community School District

Equity

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Independence Elementary School

Independence Elementary School serves 457 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Clarkston, Michigan. This high-performing public elementary school has earned an impressive 8.1 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #268 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Michigan schools. With 32 full-time equivalent teachers, Independence Elementary maintains a favorable 14.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, supporting personalized attention for young learners.

The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, with 64% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 62% reach proficiency in mathematics. These solid performance levels reflect the school's 9.1 out of 10 academic score. Independence Elementary draws families from a well-established community where the median household income reaches $124,352 and nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's low poverty rate of 4.2% and median home values around $400,100 indicate a stable, education-focused environment that supports student success. The school is situated in Oakland County's rural setting near the town of Clarkston, offering students a peaceful learning environment while maintaining access to the broader Detroit metropolitan area's resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Independence 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 Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.98 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.5%
Math vs. State Avg+22 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+22.5 pts
Overall Proficiency64%
Expected (poverty-adj.)67%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,624

Independence Elementary School — Students at Independence Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 67%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

12%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.4%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 63.7%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
65%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
64.3%
ELA
64.5%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Independence Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.7/10
84th percentile in MI
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
12%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

6850 HUBBARD RD, Clarkston, MI 48348

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clarkston Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Springfield Plains Elem School (rated 8.5/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Andersonville Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Davisburg), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Clarkston, see our Clarkston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Student Support Services Clarkston 1.9 mi
Renaissance Virtual School Clarkston 2.1 mi 4.0
Renaissance Alternative High School Clarkston 2.1 mi 5.8
Clarkston Elementary School Clarkston 2.2 mi 8.7
EVEREST ACADEMY Clarkston 1.8 mi 7.6
Clarkston Junior High School Clarkston 2.5 mi 8.4
Springfield Plains Elem School Clarkston 1.9 mi 8.5
Clarkston High School Clarkston 2.2 mi 7.9
SPRINGFIELD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clarkston 2.3 mi 7.1
Bailey Lake Elementary School Clarkston 2.6 mi 4.7
Pine Knob Elementary School Clarkston 3.5 mi 6.0
Kingsley Montgomery School Waterford 4.5 mi 6.9
OUR LADY OF THE LAKES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Waterford 4.7 mi 7.6
Schoolcraft Elementary School Waterford 5.1 mi 6.6
Sashabaw Middle School Clarkston 4.2 mi 5.7
North Sashabaw Elementary School Clarkston 4.3 mi 7.8
Andersonville Elementary School Davisburg 4.1 mi 8.3
Brandon High School Ortonville 5.2 mi 7.3
Brandon Adult Transition Program Ortonville 5.2 mi
Waterford Montessori Academy Waterford 5.1 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48348 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$131,586

Median Home Value

$421,300

Median Rent

$1,231/mo

Population

24,892

College Educated

50.4%

Homeownership

92.9%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Independence Elementary School has a median household income of $131,586. It is a well-educated community where 50% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $421,300, with a median rent of $1,231/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Bauer Elementary School Hudsonville, MI 7.7
Bishop Elementary School Ypsilanti, MI 7.7
Brooklands Elementary School Rochester Hills, MI 7.7
Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 7.7
Dibble Elementary School Jackson, MI 7.7
Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence Elementary School

What grades does Independence Elementary School serve?

Independence Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Independence Elementary School?

Independence Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 457 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Independence Elementary School rank in MI?

Independence Elementary School is ranked #526 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Independence Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Independence Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Independence Elementary School has 62.4% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Independence Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Independence Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

12.0% of students at Independence 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

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (774/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
457
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
12.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Oakland 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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