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Average

#1286 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 40% in state

Palms Elementary School

Elementary School · East China School District

6101 PALMS RD, Ira, MI 48023

Enrollment

237

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ira

#1 of 4

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#746 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 9

East China School District

School environment

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Palms Elementary School

Palms Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural area near IRA, Michigan, in St. Clair County. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 237 students with a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1.

Palms Elementary offers a nurturing environment with 16 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing quality education. Academically, the school’s MySchoolScout rating is 6.1 out of 10, and it ranks #1187 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (placing it at the 63rd percentile). The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is 45%, and Math proficiency also stands at 45% across all grades.

While there's room for improvement, Palms Elementary focuses on student development and supports its learners as they grow academically. Palms Elementary School sits in a tranquil rural setting near IRA, offering a peaceful environment for learning.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Palms 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 Progress6.4Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.7Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency49.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.5%
Math vs. State Avg+7.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)55%
vs. Expected-7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile52th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,330

Palms Elementary School — Students at Palms Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

31.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 44.7%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
48.3%
ELA
44.9%

* 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 Palms Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MI
Academic
6.7/10
6.7/10
Growth
6.4/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

6101 PALMS RD, Ira, MI 48023

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palms Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Will L Lee School (rated 9.4/10, 8.7 miles away, in nearby Richmond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lighthouse Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby New Baltimore), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Millside Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Clay), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ira, see our Ira schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Francois Maconce Elem School Ira 3.2 mi 5.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Ira 3.5 mi 5.3
Compass Pointe Ira 5.0 mi
Anchor Bay High School Ira 5.0 mi 3.9
Algonac Alternative Education Clay 6.8 mi
Algonac JuniorSenior High School Clay 6.9 mi 7.0
Anchor Bay Middle School North New Baltimore 6.0 mi 4.8
Ashley Elementary School New Baltimore 6.0 mi 4.4
Lighthouse Elementary School New Baltimore 6.2 mi 7.1
Belle River Elementary School Marine City 6.1 mi 6.2
Marine City High School Marine City 6.2 mi 6.4
Marine City Middle School Marine City 6.2 mi 5.1
Algonquin Elementary School Clay 7.5 mi 6.7
Millside Elementary School Clay 7.6 mi 6.8
East China Virtual Academy Ira 6.7 mi 6.4
ST PETER S LUTHERAN SCHOOL Richmond 7.5 mi 4.8
CARDINAL MOONEY CATHOLIC Marine City 6.8 mi 5.8
Pine River Elementary School China 8.1 mi 4.8
ST AUGUSTINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richmond 8.3 mi 5.9
Will L Lee School Richmond 8.7 mi 9.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48023 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$79,345

Median Home Value

$236,600

Median Rent

$1,277/mo

Population

4,980

College Educated

21.9%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

29.2 min

Poverty Rate

10.2%

Median Age

45.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palms Elementary School has a median household income of $79,345. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,600, with a median rent of $1,277/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
3246 PIERCE Beverly Hills, MI 6.7
Ann J Kellogg School Battle Creek, MI 6.7
Avalon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores, MI 6.7
Beal City Elementary School Mt. Pleasant, MI 6.7
Coopersville East Elementary Coopersville, MI 6.7
Hemmeter Elementary School Saginaw, MI 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palms Elementary School

What grades does Palms Elementary School serve?

Palms Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Palms Elementary School?

Palms Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 237 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palms Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Palms Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palms Elementary School rank in MI?

Palms Elementary School is ranked #1286 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Palms Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palms Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Palms Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palms Elementary School has 45.4% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palms Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Palms Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

31.2% of students at Palms 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

County Safety
Average (366/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
237
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
31.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
St. Clair County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

East China School District
District Enrollment
3,541
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,353
District Rank
#2 of 9

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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