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Below Average

#2765 of 3,192 schools in MI

Rapid City Elementary School

Elementary School · Kalkaska Public Schools

5258 River Road, Rapid City, MI 49676

Enrollment

85

Student-Teacher

14.2:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,765 of 3,192

In district

#4 of 4

Kalkaska Public Schools

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Rapid City Elementary School

4.4/10

Elementary School in Rapid City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mill Creek Elementary School

8.5/10

6.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cherryland Middle School

7.4/10

6.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Rapid City Elementary School

Rapid City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Rapid City, MI, part of Kalkaska Public Schools. Rapid City Elementary School serves approximately 85 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Rapid City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,765 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Rapid City Elementary School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.7 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.1
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

At 85 students, Rapid City Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Rapid City Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-5.93 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)21% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+6.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,423
Chronic Absenteeism28.2%

Rapid City Elementary School — Students at Rapid City Elementary School score 27% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

85.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 41.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
95%
ELA
95%
2011
Math
34.5%
ELA
64.5%
2012
Math
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2013
Math
34.5%
ELA
74.5%
2014
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2016
Math
44.5%
ELA
44.5%
2017
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2018
Math
10%
ELA
15%
2019
Math
10%
ELA
15%
2020*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2021*
Math
5%
ELA
15%
2022
Math
26.8%
ELA
26.8%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Rapid City Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in MI
Academic
6.5/10
Average
Growth
1.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
86%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.2%

Location

5258 River Road, Rapid City, MI 49676

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rapid City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Old Mission Peninsula School (rated 9.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mill Creek Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Courtade Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Rapid City, see our Rapid City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg 6.9 mi 8.5
Cherryland Middle School Elk Rapids 6.9 mi 7.4
Elk Rapids High School Elk Rapids 6.9 mi 7.9
Sunrise Academy Elk Rapids 6.9 mi
Lakeland Elementary School Elk Rapids 7.1 mi 7.0
Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska 8.0 mi 5.0
Kalkaska Elementary School Kalkaska 8.1 mi 7.7
Kalkaska High School Kalkaska 8.3 mi 6.4
John R Rodger Elementary School Bellaire 10.6 mi 4.2
Bellaire MiddleHigh School Bellaire 10.7 mi 7.7
Woodland School Traverse City 12.3 mi 6.7
Mancelona High School Mancelona 11.0 mi 7.6
Mancelona Elementary School Mancelona 11.2 mi 4.0
Mancelona Middle School Mancelona 11.5 mi 7.3
Forest Area Middle School Fife Lake 16.1 mi 4.1
Forest Area High School Fife Lake 16.1 mi 6.1
Central Lake Public Schools Central Lake 16.2 mi 7.7
Old Mission Peninsula School Traverse City 12.1 mi 9.4
Crawford School Kalkaska 13.6 mi 2.6
Courtade Elementary School Traverse City 14.5 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49676 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,479

Median Home Value

$241,200

Median Rent

$951/mo

Population

3,689

College Educated

31.2%

Homeownership

90.6%

Avg Commute

25.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

50.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CROSS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pigeon, MI 4.4
Linwood Elementary School Linwood, MI 4.4
NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era, MI 4.5
OwendaleGagetown Elementary School Owendale, MI 4.5
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, MI 4.5
Muskegon Maritime Academy Muskegon, MI 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rapid City Elementary School

What grades does Rapid City Elementary School serve?

Rapid City Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Rapid City Elementary School?

Rapid City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rapid City Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rapid City Elementary School is 14.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rapid City Elementary School rank in MI?

Rapid City Elementary School ranks #2,765 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Rapid City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rapid City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Rapid City Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Rapid City Elementary School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Rapid City Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Rapid City Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

85.9% of students at Rapid City 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

Walk Score
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
85.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kalkaska County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.2%

District

Kalkaska Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,372
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,423
District Rank
#4 of 4

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