Excellent
#15 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 1% in state
New Buffalo Elementary School
Elementary School · New Buffalo Area Schools
12291 LUBKE RD, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
216
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
9.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In New Buffalo
#1 of 3
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#12 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 3
New Buffalo Area Schools
Equity
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About New Buffalo Elementary School
New Buffalo Elementary School serves 216 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in New Buffalo, Michigan. With a student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, students get consistent, close attention from staff — a meaningful advantage in the early grades. Academically, the school stands apart.
It earns a composite score of 9.5 out of 10, with an academic rating of 9.8 and a growth rating of 9.1 — placing it in Exceptional territory. Those numbers translate directly into state rankings: New Buffalo Elementary ranks 12th among 1,602 elementary schools in Michigan and 15th overall among 3,190 public schools statewide. It outperforms 100% of Michigan public schools, a distinction very few schools at any level can claim.
For parents comparing options in the area, the picture is equally clear. New Buffalo Elementary holds the top spot among the three public schools in New Buffalo, making it the strongest local choice by the data. Families relocating to southwest Michigan or weighing district options will find a public elementary school with performance numbers that rival the best in the state — without the private school price tag.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
New Buffalo Elementary School — Students at New Buffalo Elementary School score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.4%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How New Buffalo Elementary School Compares
See how New Buffalo Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 74.66% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 74.5% (2022).
Location
12291 LUBKE RD, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering New Buffalo Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. QUEEN OF ALL SAINTS SCHOOL/DIOCESE (rated 8.2/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Michigan City), a more accessible option. Another option is ST STANISLAUS SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Michigan City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Marsh Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Michigan City), a more accessible option. For more schools in New Buffalo, see our New Buffalo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49117 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,268
Median Home Value
$448,400
Median Rent
$749/mo
Population
3,512
College Educated
45.6%
Homeownership
76.2%
Avg Commute
23.6 min
Poverty Rate
13.2%
Median Age
56
Community Profile
The community surrounding New Buffalo Elementary School has a median household income of $75,268. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $448,400, with a median rent of $749/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Simonds Elementary School Madison Heights, MI | 9.5 |
| Lincoln School Petoskey, MI | 9.4 |
| Pellston Elementary School Pellston, MI | 9.4 |
| Robinson School Grand Haven, MI | 9.6 |
| Weidman Elementary School Weidman, MI | 9.4 |
| Congress Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about New Buffalo Elementary School
What grades does New Buffalo Elementary School serve?
New Buffalo Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend New Buffalo Elementary School?
New Buffalo Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 216 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at New Buffalo Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at New Buffalo Elementary School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does New Buffalo Elementary School rank in MI?
New Buffalo Elementary School is ranked #15 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is New Buffalo Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
New Buffalo Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.5 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 New Buffalo Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, New Buffalo Elementary School has 72.0% math proficiency and 72.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is New Buffalo Elementary School a charter school?
No, New Buffalo Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is New Buffalo Elementary School a Title I school?
No, New Buffalo Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for New Buffalo Elementary School?
38.4% of students at New Buffalo Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (New Buffalo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 216
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 38.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small Suburb
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 469-6060
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
New Buffalo Area Schools- District Enrollment
- 508
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $31,373
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.