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
Enrollment
51
Student-Teacher
10.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Powell Twp Elementary School — Students at Powell Twp Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
76.5%
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: 5.4/10.
How Powell Twp Elementary School Compares
See how Powell Twp Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 43.42% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (906) 345-9355
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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