Very Good
#447 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 14% in state
Saranac Elementary School
Elementary School · Saranac Community Schools
250 PLEASANT ST, Saranac, MI 48881
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
444
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saranac
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#293 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 2
Saranac Community Schools
Academic growth
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Saranac Elementary School
Saranac Elementary School serves 444 students from prekindergarten through sixth grade in this close-knit rural Michigan community. With 31 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a comfortable 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school performs solidly academically, earning a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide at #734 out of 3,204 Michigan elementary schools.
Students demonstrate steady progress with 49% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 45% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to building strong foundational skills during these crucial early learning years. Saranac Elementary draws families from a stable community where the median household income of $77,646 supports a low poverty rate of just 6.6%.
The area's median home value of $194,900 reflects the affordable, family-friendly nature of this rural setting. While 22% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community values education and provides a supportive environment for children's academic growth. The school sits at the heart of Saranac's rural landscape, where small-town values and community connections create an nurturing environment for elementary-aged learners to develop both academically and socially.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Saranac 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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Data not available for this school
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Saranac Elementary School — Students at Saranac Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
44.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 14 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.0/10.
How Saranac Elementary School Compares
See how Saranac Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 49% (2019) to 46.09% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 46% (2019) to 51.13% (2022).
Location
250 PLEASANT ST, Saranac, MI 48881
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Saranac Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cherry Creek Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lowell), with a comparable rating. Another option is Emerson School (rated 6.9/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Ionia), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Bushnell Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Lowell), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Saranac, see our Saranac schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Saranac JrSr High School Saranac | 0.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility Ionia | 6.1 mi | — |
| Handlon Correctional Facility Ionia | 6.3 mi | — |
| Freedom Acres School Ionia | 6.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility Ionia | 6.5 mi | — |
| Coon School Ionia | 6.8 mi | — |
| Haynor School Ionia | 8.0 mi | — |
| Douglas R Welch High School Ionia | 6.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Ionia High School Ionia | 6.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Unity Alternative School Lowell | 6.9 mi | — |
| AA Rather School Ionia | 7.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Emerson School Ionia | 7.6 mi | 6.9 |
| IONIA SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ELEMENTARY Ionia | 7.9 mi | — |
| SS PETER & PAUL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ionia | 7.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Bushnell Elementary School Lowell | 7.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Lowell Middle School Lowell | 7.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Ionia Middle School Ionia | 8.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Cherry Creek Elementary School Lowell | 7.9 mi | 7.2 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Lake Odessa | 10.4 mi | 4.1 |
| North LeValley Elem School Ionia | 9.1 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48881 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,915
Median Home Value
$219,400
Median Rent
$675/mo
Population
5,358
College Educated
23.5%
Homeownership
79.8%
Avg Commute
26.5 min
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Median Age
37.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Saranac Elementary School has a median household income of $76,915. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $219,400, with a median rent of $675/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bark RiverHarris Elementary School Harris, MI | 7.9 |
| Farrand Elementary School Plymouth, MI | 7.9 |
| Frontier International Academy Elementary Warren, MI | 7.9 |
| Holland Language Academy at Van Raalte Holland, MI | 7.9 |
| Hoover Elementary School Livonia, MI | 7.9 |
| Martin Luther King Elem School Ann Arbor, MI | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Saranac Elementary School
What grades does Saranac Elementary School serve?
Saranac Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Saranac Elementary School?
Saranac Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 444 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Saranac Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Saranac Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Saranac Elementary School rank in MI?
Saranac Elementary School is ranked #447 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Saranac Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Saranac Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 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 Saranac Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Saranac Elementary School has 45.4% math proficiency and 48.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Saranac Elementary School a charter school?
No, Saranac Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Saranac Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Saranac Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Saranac Elementary School?
44.6% of students at Saranac 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 444
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 44.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ionia County
- Phone
- (616) 642-1200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Saranac Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 848
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,400
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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