Average
#2514 of 3,190 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
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
5.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ionia
#7 of 8
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,284 of 1,602
In district
#6 of 8
Ionia Public Schools
About Jefferson School
Jefferson School, an elementary school in Ionia, Michigan, serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a student body of 284 and a teacher-student ratio of 17.8:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child. Located at 420 North Jefferson Street, Jefferson School is part of the regular public education system and aims to provide a nurturing environment for young learners.
Jefferson School’s academic performance places it in the lower half of Michigan schools, with 33% of students proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 22% proficient or above in Math. While these scores indicate room for improvement, Jefferson School focuses on student development and continuous growth to enhance educational outcomes. The school is situated in a small town setting, where community engagement plays an important role in supporting the education and well-being of its students.
Score Breakdown
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Jefferson School — Students at Jefferson School score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
77.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 4.8/10.
How Jefferson School Compares
See how Jefferson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 24.53% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 30.82% (2022).
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 7.9/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Saranac), which scores notably higher. Another option is RB Boyce Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 3.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Emerson School (rated 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably 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 | 5.8 |
| SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ionia | 0.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Emerson School Ionia | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| IONIA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ionia | 1.1 mi | — |
| Douglas R Welch High School Ionia | 2.5 mi | 5.1 |
| Ionia High School Ionia | 2.5 mi | 5.8 |
| 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 | 8.3 |
| Handlon Correctional Facility Ionia | 2.6 mi | — |
| Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Ionia | 2.7 mi | — |
| RB Boyce Elementary School Ionia | 3.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Haynor School Ionia | 3.2 mi | — |
| Coon School Ionia | 6.7 mi | — |
| Twin Rivers Elementary School Muir | 5.9 mi | 4.4 |
| Saranac Elementary School Saranac | 8.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Saranac JrSr High School Saranac | 8.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Portland High School Portland | 10.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Westwood Elementary School Portland | 10.1 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jefferson School has a median household income of $66,717. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $172,300, with a median rent of $804/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Alcott School Pontiac, MI | 5.1 |
| Blair Moody Elementary School Taylor, MI | 5.1 |
| Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids, MI | 5.1 |
| Eastside Elementary School Constantine, MI | 5.1 |
| Freeman School Flint, MI | 5.1 |
| Hyatt Elementary Linden, MI | 5.1 |
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 is ranked #2514 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Jefferson School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jefferson School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Jefferson School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jefferson School has 22.1% math proficiency and 33.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (740/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ionia). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (616) 527-2740
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ionia Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,733
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,410
- District Rank
- #6 of 8
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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