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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.9Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency51.1%
Math vs. State Avg+4.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.2 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.4Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,448

Saranac Elementary School — Students at Saranac Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
34.6%
ELA Proficiency 48.8%
School
State
42.3%

Based on 14 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
39%
2022
Math
46.3%
ELA
51.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.9/10
86th percentile in MI
Academic
7.9/10
7.9/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
7.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (375/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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