Average
#1939 of 3,190 schools in MI
Macdonald Middle School
Middle School · East Lansing School District
1601 BURCHAM DR, East Lansing, MI 48823
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
842
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In East Lansing
#8 of 11
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#259 of 497
In district
#7 of 8
East Lansing School District
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Macdonald Middle School
MacDonald Middle School serves grades six through eight in East Lansing, Michigan, with an enrollment of 842 students. The school has 43 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, creating a student-teacher ratio of 19.6 to 1. Academically, MacDonald is performing near the state average, ranking in the 66th percentile among Michigan's middle schools.
The school's academic score of 7.2 out of 10 reflects mixed performance across subjects. In English language arts and reading, 57% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics shows an area with room for growth, with 41% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. These results suggest the school is working to support students across varying ability levels while addressing the need for stronger math performance.
As a regular public middle school located in the small city of East Lansing, MacDonald serves families seeking a traditional public education option during the critical middle school years. The school's setting offers the resources and community connections typical of a mid-sized Michigan city.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Macdonald Middle School — Students at Macdonald Middle School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.5%
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: 6.0/10.
How Macdonald Middle School Compares
See how Macdonald Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 40.64% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 54.17% (2022).
Location
1601 BURCHAM DR, East Lansing, MI 48823
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Macdonald Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GREATER LANSING ISLAMIC SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Haslett High School (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Haslett), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Red Cedar School (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in East Lansing, see our East Lansing schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Marble School East Lansing | 0.2 mi | 6.6 |
| STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL East Lansing | 0.4 mi | — |
| Donley Elementary School East Lansing | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| ST THOMAS AQUINAS PARISH SCHOOL East Lansing | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Project SEARCH Mason | 1.2 mi | — |
| East Lansing High School East Lansing | 1.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Whitehills Elementary School East Lansing | 1.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Great Lakes Learning Academy MSHS East Lansing | 1.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Great Lakes Learning Academy Alternative HS East Lansing | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| MONTESSORI RADMOOR SCHOOL Okemos | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Glencairn School East Lansing | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Ingham ISD ASD Programs Mason | 2.0 mi | — |
| Robert L Green Elementary East Lansing | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| GREATER LANSING ISLAMIC SCHOOL East Lansing | 2.2 mi | 9.1 |
| Murphy Elementary School Haslett | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Okemos Public MontessoriCentral Okemos | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Red Cedar School East Lansing | 2.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Bennett Woods Elementary School Okemos | 3.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Michigan Connections Academy Okemos | 3.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Haslett High School Haslett | 2.7 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,837
Median Home Value
$261,100
Median Rent
$1,127/mo
Population
49,379
College Educated
63.8%
Homeownership
43.9%
Avg Commute
19.3 min
Poverty Rate
31.8%
Median Age
24.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Macdonald Middle School has a median household income of $50,837. It is a well-educated community where 64% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,100, with a median rent of $1,127/month. The area has a poverty rate of 31.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bemis Junior High School Sterling Heights, MI | 5.9 |
| Cooper Upper Elementary School Westland, MI | 5.9 |
| East Middle School Traverse City, MI | 5.9 |
| Ferndale Middle School Ferndale, MI | 5.9 |
| Grand Blanc Middle School East Grand Blanc, MI | 5.9 |
| Marshall Middle School Marshall, MI | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Macdonald Middle School
What grades does Macdonald Middle School serve?
Macdonald Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Macdonald Middle School?
Macdonald Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 842 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Macdonald Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Macdonald Middle School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Macdonald Middle School rank in MI?
Macdonald Middle School is ranked #1939 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Macdonald Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Macdonald Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Macdonald Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Macdonald Middle School has 41.1% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Macdonald Middle School a charter school?
No, Macdonald Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Macdonald Middle School a Title I school?
No, Macdonald Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Macdonald Middle School?
37.5% of students at Macdonald Middle 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,452/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (East Lansing). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 842
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Ingham County
- Phone
- (517) 333-7600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
East Lansing School District- District Enrollment
- 3,713
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,739
- District Rank
- #7 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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