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Average

#1234 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 39% in state

Powell Twp Elementary School

Elementary School · Powell Township Schools

PO Box 160, Big Bay, MI 49808

Enrollment

51

Student-Teacher

10.2:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan elementary schools

#721 of 1,602

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Powell Twp Elementary School

Powell Twp Elementary School serves 51 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade in the small community of Big Bay, Michigan. This regular public school maintains an impressive 10.2:1 student-teacher ratio with 5 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #182 out of 3204 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile among Michigan schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education despite its small size and rural location. Powell Twp Elementary operates in a close-knit community where the median household income is $46,257 and median home values average $141,100. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 15.7%, with 13% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

The school's small enrollment allows staff to know each student individually and tailor instruction to meet diverse learning needs. Located in Marquette County's remote rural setting, Powell Twp Elementary School offers students an intimate learning environment surrounded by Michigan's Upper Peninsula natural beauty, where education takes place within a tight-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 51 students, Powell Twp Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Powell Twp 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 Progress5.4Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43.4%
Math vs. State Avg-12.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.4 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$38,429

Powell Twp Elementary School — Students at Powell Twp Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.7%
School
State
32.8%
ELA Proficiency 41.3%
School
State
42.5%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2021*
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
42.1%

* 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: 5.4/10.

How Powell Twp Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
61th percentile in MI
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
5.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
10:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

PO Box 160, Big Bay, MI 49808

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Powell Twp Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sandy Knoll School (rated 8.9/10, 24.2 miles away, in nearby Marquette), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview School (rated 8.8/10, 21.9 miles away, in nearby Negaunee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Aspen Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Ishpeming), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Big Bay, see our Big Bay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 29.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Birchview School Ishpeming 21.5 mi 5.4
Lakeview School Negaunee 21.9 mi 8.8
Negaunee High School Negaunee 22.3 mi 5.7
Ishpeming Middle School Ishpeming 22.9 mi 7.8
Ishpeming High School Ishpeming 22.9 mi 5.1
IshpemingNegauneeNICE Comm Ed Division Negaunee 22.9 mi
Westwood High School Ishpeming 23.2 mi 5.0
Aspen Ridge Elementary School Ishpeming 23.3 mi 7.1
Negaunee Middle School Negaunee 22.6 mi 7.2
North Star Montessori Academy Marquette 22.2 mi 6.8
Vandenboom Alternative High School Marquette 22.7 mi 4.5
Marquette Senior High School Marquette 23.5 mi 6.7
Superior Hills Elementary School Marquette 24.6 mi 5.3
Sandy Knoll School Marquette 24.2 mi 8.9
Bothwell Middle School Marquette 24.7 mi 6.1
Graveraet Elementary School Marquette 24.5 mi 6.3
FR MARQUETTE CATHOLIC ACADEMY Marquette 24.7 mi 7.0
MarquetteAlger Administrative Unit Marquette 24.6 mi
Arvon Township School Skanee 22.1 mi
Cherry Creek Elementary School Marquette 29.4 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49808 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,063

Median Home Value

$254,000

Population

237

College Educated

31.1%

Homeownership

91.7%

Poverty Rate

30.3%

Median Age

53.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Powell Twp Elementary School has a median household income of $49,063. It is an area where 31% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $254,000. The area has a poverty rate of 30.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CEDAR CLASSICAL ACADEMY Okemos, MI 6.8
LAKES AREA MONTESSORI Walled Lake, MI 6.8
NEW MORNING SCHOOL Plymouth, MI 6.8
GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Saginaw, MI 6.7
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Saginaw, MI 6.7
ST PAUL SCHOOL Owosso, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Powell Twp Elementary School

What grades does Powell Twp Elementary School serve?

Powell Twp Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Powell Twp Elementary School?

Powell Twp Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 51 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Powell Twp Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Powell Twp Elementary School is 10.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Powell Twp Elementary School rank in MI?

Powell Twp Elementary School is ranked #1234 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Powell Twp Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Powell Twp Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Powell Twp Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Powell Twp Elementary School has 26.7% math proficiency and 41.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Powell Twp Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Powell Twp Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

76.5% of students at Powell Twp 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
Low (223/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Marquette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Powell Township Schools
District Enrollment
51
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$38,690
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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