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Average

#1324 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 42% in state

Richard J Duncan Elementary

Elementary School · Utica Community Schools

14500 26 MILE RD, Shelby Township, MI 48315

Enrollment

710

Student-Teacher

18.7:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shelby Township

#1 of 12

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#769 of 1,602

In district

#9 of 37

Utica Community Schools

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Richard J Duncan Elementary

Richard J Duncan Elementary serves 710 students in prekindergarten through sixth grade in Shelby Township's prosperous suburban community. With 38 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio while earning strong recognition for its academic performance. The school ranks #652 out of 3,204 Michigan elementary schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10.

Students demonstrate solid academic achievement, with 69% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels. In mathematics, 53% of students achieve proficiency, indicating opportunities for continued growth in this subject area. As a regular public elementary school, Richard J Duncan serves families in an affluent suburban setting where the median household income reaches $101,538 and the poverty rate remains low at 4.8%.

The surrounding community of nearly 28,250 residents reflects strong educational values, with 33% holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while median home values of $351,000 indicate a stable, well-established neighborhood. Located on 26 Mile Road, the school operates within Shelby Township's large suburban environment, providing students with access to the resources and opportunities that come with this thriving Macomb County community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.1Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.8%
Math vs. State Avg+10.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+27.9 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.6Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,557

Richard J Duncan Elementary — Students at Richard J Duncan Elementary score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
34.6%
ELA Proficiency 69.1%
School
State
42.3%

Based on 14 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
62%
ELA
69%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
67%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
69.6%

* 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: 6.1/10.

How Richard J Duncan Elementary Compares

See how Richard J Duncan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MI
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
6.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
38 teachers

Location

14500 26 MILE RD, Shelby Township, MI 48315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Richard J Duncan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hevel Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores notably higher. Another option is Sequoyah Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Macomb), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Indian Hills Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Washington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Shelby Township, see our Shelby Township schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Beacon Tree Elementary School Shelby Township 0.9 mi 6.6
Beck Centennial Elem School Macomb 1.1 mi 5.1
ST JOSEPH'S ACADEMY Ray Twp 1.2 mi 6.1
LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL NORTH Macomb 2.2 mi 4.9
ST PETER LUTHERAN SCHOOL Macomb 2.2 mi 6.3
Hevel Elementary Washington 3.1 mi 8.3
Crissman Elementary School Shelby Township 2.7 mi 5.7
Romeo High School Washington 3.2 mi 6.9
Washington Elementary School Washington 2.6 mi 5.0
Sequoyah Elementary School Macomb 3.1 mi 7.8
Shelby Junior High School Shelby Township 3.5 mi 5.3
CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Washington Township 3.4 mi 3.8
Eisenhower High School Shelby Township 3.4 mi 6.2
Indian Hills Elementary School Washington 4.0 mi 7.1
Malow Junior High School Shelby Township 3.5 mi 5.7
Floyd Ebeling Elementary School Macomb 4.6 mi 5.5
PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Shelby Township 3.8 mi 5.4
Morgan Elementary School Shelby Township 3.8 mi 5.7
Issac Monfort Elementary School Shelby Township 4.1 mi 5.3
Iroquois Middle School Macomb 4.7 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$99,512

Median Home Value

$357,700

Median Rent

$1,181/mo

Population

28,428

College Educated

32.7%

Homeownership

87.2%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

4.3%

Median Age

48.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Richard J Duncan Elementary has a median household income of $99,512. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,700, with a median rent of $1,181/month. The local poverty rate of 4.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Achieve Charter Academy Canton, MI 6.7
Algonquin Elementary School Clay, MI 6.7
Arno Elementary School Allen Park, MI 6.7
Bauerwood School Jenison, MI 6.7
Beech Elementary Redford, MI 6.7
Bennie Elementary School Allen Park, MI 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Richard J Duncan Elementary

What grades does Richard J Duncan Elementary serve?

Richard J Duncan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Richard J Duncan Elementary?

Richard J Duncan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 710 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Richard J Duncan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Richard J Duncan Elementary is 18.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Richard J Duncan Elementary rank in MI?

Richard J Duncan Elementary is ranked #1324 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Richard J Duncan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Richard J Duncan Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Richard J Duncan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Richard J Duncan Elementary has 53.0% math proficiency and 69.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Richard J Duncan Elementary a charter school?

No, Richard J Duncan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Richard J Duncan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Richard J Duncan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Richard J Duncan Elementary?

32.8% of students at Richard J Duncan 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (704/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby Township). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
710
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Free/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Macomb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Utica Community Schools
District Enrollment
25,501
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,360
District Rank
#9 of 37

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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