Excellent
#23 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 1% in state
Pellston Elementary School
Elementary School · Pellston Public Schools
172 NORTH PARK ST, Pellston, MI 49769
Enrollment
206
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
206
Student-Teacher
10.3:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Pellston
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#19 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 2
Pellston Public Schools
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Pellston Elementary School
Pellston Elementary School serves 206 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Pellston, Michigan. It operates as a regular public school with a student-teacher ratio of 10.3:1, giving students significantly more individual attention than most schools can offer. The school earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, rated Exceptional, with a growth score of 9.8 that ranks among the strongest in the state.
Pellston Elementary ranks 19th out of 1,602 elementary schools in Michigan — placing it in the top 1% of all elementary programs statewide. Its academic score of 8.6 and near-perfect growth rating reflect consistent, measurable gains across grade levels. Measured against the full landscape of public education in Michigan, Pellston Elementary ranks 23rd out of 3,190 public schools and outperforms 99% of schools across the state.
That level of performance is rare for a school of this size and speaks directly to what students experience in the classroom. Families in Pellston have a clear top option for elementary education, and the numbers make a strong case for anyone considering a move to the area or evaluating local choices.
What's said publicly about Pellston Elementary School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pellston 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 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Pellston Elementary School — Students at Pellston Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65%
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: 9.8/10.
How Pellston Elementary School Compares
See how Pellston Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 44.68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2019) to 51.6% (2022).
Location
172 NORTH PARK ST, Pellston, MI 49769
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pellston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Blackbird Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Harbor Springs), a more accessible option. Another option is Ottawa Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), a more accessible option. Additionally, Central Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pellston, see our Pellston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Pellston MiddleHigh School Pellston | 0.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Alanson Public School Alanson | 7.5 mi | 7.9 |
| NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burt Lake | 8.9 mi | 4.8 |
| HARBOR LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harbor Springs | 10.5 mi | 6.2 |
| COP ESD Programs Indian River | 10.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Inland Lakes Elementary School Indian River | 13.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Inland Lakes Secondary School Indian River | 13.0 mi | 5.9 |
| ST MICHAEL ACADEMY Petoskey | 14.1 mi | — |
| Mackinaw City K12 School Mackinaw City | 15.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Concord Academy Petoskey Petoskey | 14.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Blackbird Elementary School Harbor Springs | 12.8 mi | 8.1 |
| Petoskey Middle School Petoskey | 14.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Petoskey Montessori Elem School Petoskey | 14.6 mi | — |
| Harbor Springs High School Harbor Spgs | 13.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Petoskey High School Petoskey | 14.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Harbor Springs Middle School Harbor Springs | 13.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Ottawa Elementary School Petoskey | 15.1 mi | 8.0 |
| CharEm Alternative Schools Charlevoix | 14.9 mi | — |
| ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Petoskey | 15.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Central Elementary School Petoskey | 15.2 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49769 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,792
Median Home Value
$152,800
Median Rent
$989/mo
Population
1,791
College Educated
24.2%
Homeownership
78.4%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
32
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pellston Elementary School has a median household income of $64,792. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $152,800, with a median rent of $989/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln School Petoskey, MI | 9.4 |
| Weidman Elementary School Weidman, MI | 9.4 |
| Congress Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 9.3 |
| Duvall Elementary School Dearborn, MI | 9.3 |
| New Buffalo Elementary School New Buffalo, MI | 9.5 |
| Sheridan School Petoskey, MI | 9.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pellston Elementary School
What grades does Pellston Elementary School serve?
Pellston Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Pellston Elementary School?
Pellston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 206 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pellston Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Pellston Elementary School is 10.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pellston Elementary School rank in MI?
Pellston Elementary School is ranked #23 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Pellston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pellston Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Pellston Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pellston Elementary School has 38.7% math proficiency and 46.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pellston Elementary School a charter school?
No, Pellston Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pellston Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Pellston Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pellston Elementary School?
65.0% of students at Pellston 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. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 206
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 20
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Emmet County
- Phone
- (231) 539-8421
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pellston Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 463
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,007
- 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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