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Very Good

#494 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 16% in state

North Branch Elementary School

Elementary School · North Branch Area Schools

PO Box 3620, North Branch, MI 48461

Enrollment

944

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In North Branch

#1 of 4

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#321 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 4

North Branch Area Schools

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About North Branch Elementary School

North Branch Elementary School serves 944 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in the rural community of North Branch, Michigan. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, providing reasonable class sizes for young learners during these foundational years. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.1 out of 10 and ranks #1913 among Michigan's 3,204 elementary schools, placing it in the 40th percentile statewide.

While there's room for academic growth, the school serves as an important educational foundation for families in this close-knit community. North Branch Elementary draws families from a stable residential area where the median household income is $74,695 and the median home value sits at $193,800. The surrounding ZIP code of 48461 has a population of 7,889 residents, with a poverty rate of 9.9%.

About 17% of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the working-class character of this Lapeer County community. The school operates in a rural setting that offers students the benefits of small-town life, where children can develop strong community connections while receiving their early elementary education in a more intimate, countryside environment.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, North Branch Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.79 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.7Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency50%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54.6%
Math vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.7 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected+8.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile80th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.8Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,039

North Branch Elementary School — Students at North Branch Elementary School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 48.6%
School
State
37.8%
ELA Proficiency 51.7%
School
State
43.3%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
46%
2022
Math
49.7%
ELA
54.6%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How North Branch Elementary School Compares

See how North Branch Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MI
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

PO Box 3620, North Branch, MI 48461

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering North Branch Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Turrill Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Lapeer), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brown City Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 10.2 miles away, in nearby Brown City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mayville Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Mayville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in North Branch, see our North Branch schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Ruth Fox Middle School North Branch 0.3 mi 5.6
Quest High School North Branch 0.4 mi 6.0
North Branch High School North Branch 0.4 mi 4.6
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Marlette 8.9 mi
Marlette JrSr High School Marlette 9.3 mi 4.5
Marlette Elementary Marlette 9.2 mi 5.8
Elva Lynch Elementary School Lapeer 10.2 mi 4.8
Lapeer Co Education and Technology Center Attica 11.9 mi 5.3
Kingston Elementary School Kingston 12.8 mi 4.4
Kingston High School Kingston 13.0 mi 6.1
Mayville Elementary School Mayville 10.8 mi 7.0
Mayville Middle High School Mayville 11.0 mi 6.8
Brown City High School Brown City 10.1 mi 5.7
Brown City Elementary School Brown City 10.2 mi 7.5
Lapeer High School Lapeer 13.9 mi 6.2
CK Schickler Elementary School Lapeer 13.3 mi 3.9
Turrill Elementary School Lapeer 13.8 mi 8.1
Zemmer Campus 89 Lapeer 13.5 mi 5.1
STRIVE Transition Program Lapeer 13.5 mi
Center for Innovation Lapeer 13.8 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48461 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,597

Median Home Value

$193,300

Median Rent

$900/mo

Population

8,256

College Educated

16.8%

Homeownership

87.7%

Avg Commute

36.5 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding North Branch Elementary School has a median household income of $76,597. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $193,300, with a median rent of $900/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. The average commute in the area is 37 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School Ann Arbor, MI 7.8
Endeavour Elementary and Middle School New Haven, MI 7.8
Henry Ford Elementary School Dearborn, MI 7.8
Canton Charter Academy Canton, MI 7.7
Chandler Woods Charter Academy Belmont, MI 7.7
Princeton Elementary School Saint Clair Shores, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about North Branch Elementary School

What grades does North Branch Elementary School serve?

North Branch Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend North Branch Elementary School?

North Branch Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 944 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at North Branch Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at North Branch Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does North Branch Elementary School rank in MI?

North Branch Elementary School is ranked #494 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is North Branch Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

North Branch Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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.

What are the test scores at North Branch Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Branch Elementary School has 48.6% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is North Branch Elementary School a charter school?

No, North Branch Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is North Branch Elementary School a Title I school?

No, North Branch Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Branch Elementary School?

49.4% of students at North Branch 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (263/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
944
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Lapeer County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

North Branch Area Schools
District Enrollment
2,426
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,486
District Rank
#1 of 4

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 methodology

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