Average
#2460 of 3,190 schools in MI
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary
Elementary School · Pennfield Schools
8587 PENNFIELD RD, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Enrollment
420
Student-Teacher
18.3:1
Score
5.2
Grades
3rd – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Battle Creek
#20 of 26
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,262 of 1,602
In district
#3 of 5
Pennfield Schools
About Pennfield Dunlap Elementary
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary is a regular public school located in the rural outskirts of Battle Creek, Michigan. Serving students from third to fifth grade, Pennfield Dunlap has an enrollment of 420 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1 with 23 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.3 out of 10, placing it at the 30th percentile among Michigan schools in terms of academic performance.
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for its students, particularly those who may need extra attention and development. While test scores show that only 35% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 27% are proficient or above in Math, the school is working diligently to improve academic outcomes. Despite current challenges, Pennfield Dunlap Elementary remains committed to fostering a nurturing atmosphere where children can grow academically and personally.
The school's setting offers a rural backdrop that provides students with a peaceful environment conducive to learning. Pennfield Dunlap Elementary serves a community dedicated to supporting its young learners as they progress through their elementary years.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Pennfield Dunlap 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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Pennfield Dunlap Elementary — Students at Pennfield Dunlap Elementary score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.5%
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: 4.8/10.
How Pennfield Dunlap Elementary Compares
See how Pennfield Dunlap Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 26.49% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 35.18% (2022).
Location
8587 PENNFIELD RD, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Pennfield Dunlap Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fremont International Academy (rated 7.8/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wattles Park Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 4.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Dudley School (rated 7.2/10, 4.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Battle Creek, see our Battle Creek schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,500
Median Home Value
$134,800
Median Rent
$946/mo
Population
20,785
College Educated
20.4%
Homeownership
72.9%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pennfield Dunlap Elementary has a median household income of $58,500. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,800, with a median rent of $946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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 |
|---|---|
| ADAMS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wyoming, MI | 5.2 |
| AL Holmes Academy of Blended Learning Detroit, MI | 5.2 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Canton, MI | 5.2 |
| Abbot School Ann Arbor, MI | 5.2 |
| Beacon Elementary School Harper Woods, MI | 5.2 |
| Blanche Sims Elementary School Lake Orion, MI | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Pennfield Dunlap Elementary
What grades does Pennfield Dunlap Elementary serve?
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.
How many students attend Pennfield Dunlap Elementary?
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 420 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Pennfield Dunlap Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Pennfield Dunlap Elementary is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Pennfield Dunlap Elementary rank in MI?
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary is ranked #2460 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Pennfield Dunlap Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Pennfield Dunlap Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pennfield Dunlap Elementary has 27.2% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Pennfield Dunlap Elementary a charter school?
No, Pennfield Dunlap Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Pennfield Dunlap Elementary a Title I school?
No, Pennfield Dunlap Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pennfield Dunlap Elementary?
69.5% of students at Pennfield Dunlap 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
- City Safety
- High (3,679/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Battle Creek). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 3rd – 5th
- Enrollment
- 420
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Calhoun County
- Phone
- (269) 961-9789
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pennfield Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,928
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,581
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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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