Very Good
#448 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 14% in state
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
Elementary School · Airport Community Schools
160 FESSNER RD, Carleton, MI 48117
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
364
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#448 of 3,192
In Carleton
#2 of 6
public schools
In district
#3 of 8
Airport Community Schools
Equity
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
Elementary School in Carleton · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Airport Senior High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Airport Center for Education
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is a public elementary school in Carleton, MI, part of Airport Community Schools. Joseph C Sterling Elementary School serves approximately 364 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #448 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Joseph C Sterling Elementary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 7.8
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School — Students at Joseph C Sterling Elementary School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 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: 7.3/10.
How Joseph C Sterling Elementary School Compares
See how Joseph C Sterling Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
160 FESSNER RD, Carleton, MI 48117
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Joseph C Sterling Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Loren Eyler Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Henry Niedermeier Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Newport), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brown Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby New Boston), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Carleton, see our Carleton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Senior High School Carleton | 0.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Airport Center for Education Carleton | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Airport Middle College Carleton | 0.1 mi | — |
| Wagar Junior High School Carleton | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Wagar Middle School Carleton | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Loren Eyler Elementary School Carleton | 2.1 mi | 8.5 |
| ST PATRICK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carleton | 2.4 mi | 5.3 |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN SCHOOL New Boston | 3.9 mi | 7.2 |
| HOLY GHOST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Monroe | 4.3 mi | 5.6 |
| Henry Niedermeier Elementary School Newport | 4.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Huron High School New Boston | 5.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Carl T Renton Jr High School New Boston | 5.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Alice I Ferguson Early Childhood Center New Boston | 6.0 mi | 5.0 |
| Triumph Academy Monroe | 6.1 mi | 6.1 |
| Brown Elementary School New Boston | 6.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Raisinville School Monroe | 6.1 mi | 3.5 |
| ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC ACADEMY Newport | 5.6 mi | 4.4 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Monroe | 7.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Fred W Ritter Elementary School South Rockwood | 5.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Jefferson High School Newport | 6.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,600
Median Home Value
$276,600
Median Rent
$1,081/mo
Population
10,199
College Educated
14.5%
Homeownership
88.6%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
11%
Median Age
48.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Blanche Sims Elementary School Lake Orion, MI | 7.8 |
| Cedar Trails Elementary School Cedar Springs, MI | 7.8 |
| Copper Island Academy Calumet, MI | 7.8 |
| Costello Elementary School Troy, MI | 7.8 |
| Emmons Lake Elementary School Caledonia, MI | 7.8 |
| Floyd School Midland, MI | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
What grades does Joseph C Sterling Elementary School serve?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 364 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Joseph C Sterling Elementary School rank in MI?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School ranks #448 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Joseph C Sterling Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Joseph C Sterling Elementary School a charter school?
No, Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Joseph C Sterling Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?
47.3% of students at Joseph C Sterling 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 364
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Monroe County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.5%
- Phone
- (734) 654-6846
Resources & Links
District
Airport Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,811
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,963
- District Rank
- #3 of 8
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