Very Good
#80 of 460 private schools in MI
Top 17% of private schools
Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School
Elementary School
3165 WASHINGTON AVE, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
193
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Saint Joseph
#2 of 4
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#45 of 307
About Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School
Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary School serves 193 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Saint Joseph, Michigan. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 12:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in smaller classroom settings. The school earns an 8.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #240 out of 460 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 48th percentile among Michigan schools.
As a regular public elementary school, Lake Michigan Catholic provides foundational education during these crucial early learning years. Students come from a well-educated community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $96,034. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low poverty rate of just 4.0%, with median home values around $262,800, reflecting the area's economic stability.
Located at 3165 Washington Avenue, the school sits in Saint Joseph's small suburban setting within Berrien County. This lakeside community of approximately 23,778 residents offers families a blend of small-town charm and educational opportunity, with Lake Michigan Catholic Elementary serving as a cornerstone institution for young learners in this prosperous southwestern Michigan area.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 193 students, Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. 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 Michigan Cath. Elem. 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School compares to the 7 public schools in Saint Joseph, MI
Student Demographics
All Schools in Saint Joseph
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School (this school) | 7.6 |
| Upton Middle School | 5.8 |
| Brown School | 4.8 |
| Lighthouse Education Center | 6.1 |
| St Joseph High School | 7.0 |
| Clarke School | 3.1 |
| Lincoln School | 4.5 |
| Berrien County Juvenile Center | — |
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
3165 WASHINGTON AVE, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Benton Harbor), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hollywood Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Roosevelt Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Stevensville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saint Joseph, see our Saint Joseph schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Upton Middle School Saint Joseph | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Brown School Saint Joseph | 1.1 mi | 4.8 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville | 1.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| St Joseph High School Saint Joseph | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Lincoln School Saint Joseph | 2.3 mi | 4.5 |
| BROOKVIEW MONTESSORI SCHOOL Benton Harbor | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor | 2.3 mi | 6.2 |
| GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Clarke School Saint Joseph | 2.2 mi | 3.1 |
| Stewart Elementary School Stevensville | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 3.1 mi | 7.1 |
| Lakeshore Middle School Stevensville | 3.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Roosevelt Elementary School Stevensville | 3.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Fair Plain East Elementary Benton Harbor | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATHOLIC MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL Saint Joseph | 3.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Lakeshore High School Stevensville | 3.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Benton Harbor High School Benton Harbor | 3.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Hollywood Elementary School Stevensville | 3.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Benton Harbor Charter School Academy Benton Harbor | 3.6 mi | 5.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49085 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,763
Median Home Value
$287,300
Median Rent
$1,099/mo
Population
23,575
College Educated
48.6%
Homeownership
77.7%
Avg Commute
17.2 min
Poverty Rate
4.2%
Median Age
45.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School has a median household income of $101,763. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $287,300, with a median rent of $1,099/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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 |
|---|---|
| Bertha Neal School Durand, MI | 7.6 |
| Blair Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 7.6 |
| Gordon Elementary School Marshall, MI | 7.6 |
| Harbor Beach Elementary School Harbor Beach, MI | 7.6 |
| Henry Niedermeier Elementary School Newport, MI | 7.6 |
| Hoover Elementary School Hazel Park, MI | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School
What grades does Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School serve?
Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School?
Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School has an enrollment of approximately 193 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School rank in MI?
Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School is ranked #80 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Michigan Cath. Elem. School a private school?
Yes, Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic 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 Michigan Cath. Elem. School a religious school?
Lake Michigan Cath. Elem. School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 193
- Gender Split
- 44% M / 56% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- BERRIEN
- Phone
- (269) 429-0227
- 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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