Average
#1360 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 43% in state
Montabella Elementary
Elementary School · Montabella Community Schools
1456 EAST N COUNTY LINE RD, Blanchard, MI 49310
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Blanchard
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#784 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 2
Montabella Community Schools
School environment
7.9 / 10
Very strong
About Montabella Elementary
Montabella Elementary, situated in the remote rural area of Blanchard, Michigan, offers education from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 380 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1, the school provides personalized attention to each child under the guidance of 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Montabella Elementary is part of Montcalm County’s public education system and stands as a cornerstone in its community, though it currently ranks at #2046 out of 3204 schools in Michigan.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.6/10, with an academic score of 4.0/10, indicating areas for improvement in academic performance. Specifically, the ELA and reading proficiency rate sits at 35%, while math proficiency is 20%. Despite these challenges, Montabella Elementary continues to focus on student development and growth.
The school’s rural setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and students often have strong relationships built over time.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Montabella Elementary 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Montabella Elementary — Students at Montabella Elementary score 28% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
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: 6.4/10.
How Montabella Elementary Compares
See how Montabella Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 18.6% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 34% (2019) to 37.43% (2022).
Location
1456 EAST N COUNTY LINE RD, Blanchard, MI 49310
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Montabella Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Winn Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Winn), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Lakeview), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Montcalm Upper Elem School (rated 6.9/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Stanton), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Blanchard, see our Blanchard schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.5 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49310 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,056
Median Home Value
$171,300
Median Rent
$1,033/mo
Population
2,989
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
90.5%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
19.9%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Montabella Elementary has a median household income of $63,056. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $171,300, with a median rent of $1,033/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.9%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| Beadle Lake Elementary School Battle Creek, MI | 6.6 |
| Besser Elementary School Alpena, MI | 6.6 |
| Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 6.6 |
| Coopersville South Elementary School Coopersville, MI | 6.6 |
| Detroit Achievement Academy Detroit, MI | 6.6 |
| East Elementary School Cheboygan, MI | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Montabella Elementary
What grades does Montabella Elementary serve?
Montabella Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Montabella Elementary?
Montabella Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Montabella Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Montabella Elementary is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Montabella Elementary rank in MI?
Montabella Elementary is ranked #1360 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Montabella Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Montabella Elementary has a composite rating of 6.6 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.
What are the test scores at Montabella Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Montabella Elementary has 20.1% math proficiency and 35.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Montabella Elementary a charter school?
No, Montabella Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Montabella Elementary a Title I school?
No, Montabella Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Montabella Elementary?
74.2% of students at Montabella Elementary 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
- County Safety
- Average (330/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 380
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Montcalm County
- Phone
- (989) 427-5414
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Montabella Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 773
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,141
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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