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Below Average

#2764 of 3,192 schools in MI

Jefferson School

Elementary School · Ionia Public Schools

420 NORTH JEFFERSON ST, Ionia, MI 48846

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,764 of 3,192

In Ionia

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

Ionia Public Schools

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Jefferson School

4.4/10

Elementary School in Ionia · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ionia Middle School

6.0/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Ss Peter & Paul Elementary School

5.2/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Jefferson School

Jefferson School is a public elementary school in Ionia, MI, part of Ionia Public Schools. Jefferson School serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Jefferson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,764 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Jefferson School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.3
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Jefferson 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 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.01 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency30.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-17.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.1 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,410
Chronic Absenteeism32.7%

Jefferson School — Students at Jefferson School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 48.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
87%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
24.6%
ELA
31.1%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Jefferson School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in MI
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.6/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

Location

420 NORTH JEFFERSON ST, Ionia, MI 48846

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jefferson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Saranac Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Saranac), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westwood Elementary School (rated 5.4/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Portland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 5.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ionia, see our Ionia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Ionia Middle School Ionia 0.5 mi 6.0
SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ionia 0.8 mi 5.2
Emerson School Ionia 1.1 mi 4.5
IONIA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ionia 1.1 mi
Douglas R Welch High School Ionia 2.5 mi 4.5
Ionia High School Ionia 2.5 mi 6.7
AA Rather School Ionia 2.5 mi 4.9
North LeValley Elem School Ionia 2.4 mi
Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility Ionia 2.4 mi
Freedom Acres School Ionia 2.9 mi 6.5
Handlon Correctional Facility Ionia 2.6 mi
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Ionia 2.7 mi
RB Boyce Elementary School Ionia 3.8 mi 4.0
Haynor School Ionia 3.2 mi
Coon School Ionia 6.7 mi
Twin Rivers Elementary School Muir 5.9 mi 3.9
Saranac Elementary School Saranac 8.6 mi 7.1
Saranac JrSr High School Saranac 8.6 mi 6.8
Portland High School Portland 10.0 mi 6.0
Westwood Elementary School Portland 10.1 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48846 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,717

Median Home Value

$172,300

Median Rent

$804/mo

Population

21,940

College Educated

12%

Homeownership

69.8%

Avg Commute

24.6 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

39.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Columbiaville Elementary School Otisville, MI 4.4
Cumberland School Lansing, MI 4.4
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids, MI 4.4
Harmon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores, MI 4.4
Jane Addams Elementary School Redford, MI 4.4
Michener Elementary School Adrian, MI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jefferson School

What grades does Jefferson School serve?

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

How many students attend Jefferson School?

Jefferson School has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jefferson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jefferson School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jefferson School rank in MI?

Jefferson School ranks #2,764 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Jefferson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jefferson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Jefferson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jefferson School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Jefferson School a charter school?

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

Is Jefferson School a Title I school?

No, Jefferson School is not currently a Title I school.

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

77.5% of students at Jefferson 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Ionia County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.7%

District

Ionia Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,733
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,410
District Rank
#6 of 8

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