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#308 of 460 private schools in MI

Lake Area Christian School

School

63590 BORGERT RD, Sturgis, MI 49091

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

66

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Sturgis

#1 of 2

public schools

Michigan schools

#64 of 87

About Lake Area Christian School

Lake Area Christian School serves 66 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Sturgis, Michigan, offering an intimate educational environment with a student-teacher ratio of 11.4 to 1. With just 6 full-time equivalent teachers, this small school provides personalized attention that allows educators to know each student well and tailor instruction to individual needs. The school has earned recognition for its academic approach, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 204th among Michigan's 460 schools, placing it in the 56th percentile statewide.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within its close-knit community setting. Located on Borgert Road in St. Joseph County, the school serves families in an area where the median household income is $60,606 and median home values average $153,900.

The surrounding community of nearly 20,000 residents includes 19% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 15.6%. Lake Area Christian School's rural location provides students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions, allowing them to focus on their studies while building strong relationships with classmates and teachers in this supportive educational community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 66 students, Lake Area Christian School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Lake Area Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Lake Area Christian 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$3,722
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$3,991
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.07x — Stable
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
58%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$537,664

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 66 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Lake Area Christian School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Sturgis, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
This School
vs
18.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
66
This School
vs
435
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.8
This School
vs
5.1
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 87.9% vs 0%
Lake Area Christian School Sturgis Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Lake Area Christian School (this school) 5.8
Nottawa Community School 4.8
Wall School 6.5
Sturgis Middle School 4.1
Congress School 5.2
Wenzel School 4.7
Sturgis High School 4.1
Eastwood School 6.4

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,176
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.8 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 21%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 66
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 87.9%
Two or More 12.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

63590 BORGERT RD, Sturgis, MI 49091

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Area Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Pathfinder Educational Center (rated 9.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Centreville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Burr Oak Virtual Academy (rated 5.3/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Burr Oak), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sturgis, see our Sturgis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Nottawa Community School Sturgis 3.1 mi 4.8
NOTTAWA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Sturgis 3.1 mi
NOTTAWA CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL Sturgis 3.1 mi
Wall School Sturgis 4.5 mi 6.5
Sturgis Middle School Sturgis 4.6 mi 4.1
Pathfinder Educational Center Centreville 4.0 mi 9.1
Wenzel School Sturgis 5.5 mi 4.7
Congress School Sturgis 5.5 mi 5.2
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sturgis 5.5 mi 5.6
Sturgis High School Sturgis 5.6 mi 4.1
Eastwood School Sturgis 5.8 mi 6.4
Centreville Jr Sr High School Centreville 5.7 mi 6.5
Centreville Elementary School Centreville 5.8 mi 3.7
Burr Oak Elementary School Burr Oak 6.3 mi 3.2
Burr Oak High School Burr Oak 6.3 mi 7.2
Burr Oak Virtual Academy Burr Oak 6.3 mi 5.3
Colon Elementary School Colon 8.0 mi 3.9
Leonidas School Colon 8.0 mi
Mendon MiddleHigh School Mendon 9.5 mi 5.9
Mendon Elementary School Mendon 9.5 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49091 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,000

Median Home Value

$173,800

Median Rent

$817/mo

Population

19,448

College Educated

19.6%

Homeownership

70.9%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Area Christian School has a median household income of $65,000. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $173,800, with a median rent of $817/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Capac Virtual Education Program Capac, MI 5.8
Seiter Education Center Greenville, MI 5.8
St Charles Virtual School Saint Charles, MI 5.8
Pine Grove Learning Center Wyoming, MI 5.7
Barry ISD Special Education Hastings, MI 6.0
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsford, MI 5.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Area Christian School

What grades does Lake Area Christian School serve?

Lake Area Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Lake Area Christian School?

Lake Area Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 66 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Area Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Area Christian School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Lake Area Christian School rank in MI?

Lake Area Christian School is ranked #308 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is Lake Area Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Area Christian School has a composite rating of 5.8 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.

Is Lake Area Christian School a private school?

Yes, Lake Area Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Other Religious affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Lake Area Christian School a religious school?

Lake Area Christian School has a Other Religious religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
66
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Other Religious
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
168 days
Setting
Distant Rural
County
ST. JOSEPH
Data Year
2022–2023

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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