Average
#308 of 460 private schools in MI
Lake Area Christian School
School
63590 BORGERT RD, Sturgis, MI 49091
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
Enrollment
66
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Lake Area Christian School compares to 7 public schools serving similar grades in Sturgis, MI
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (269) 651-5135
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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