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Average

#2212 of 3,192 schools in MI

Shepherd Elementary School

Elementary School · Shepherd Public Schools

301 SOUTH 4TH ST, Shepherd, MI 48883

Enrollment

560

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,212 of 3,192

In Shepherd

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 5

Shepherd Public Schools

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Shepherd Elementary School

5.5/10

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

Shepherd High School

7.8/10

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

Shepherd Middle School

5.6/10

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

About Shepherd Elementary School

Shepherd Elementary School is a public elementary school in Shepherd, MI, part of Shepherd Public Schools. Shepherd Elementary School serves approximately 560 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Shepherd Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,212 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Shepherd Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Shepherd 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 Progress4.3Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-0.1 pts
Overall Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile53th
Resources & Environment6.4Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,837
Chronic Absenteeism26.4%

Shepherd Elementary School — Students at Shepherd Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 52.3% (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
91%
ELA
90%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
88%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
66%
2012
Math
30%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
36%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
41%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
44%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
43%
2018
Math
34%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
34%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
24%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
24%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
42%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Shepherd Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in MI
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
4.3/10
Below Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.4%

Location

301 SOUTH 4TH ST, Shepherd, MI 48883

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shepherd Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAGINAW CHIPPEWA ACADEMY (rated 7.2/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fancher School (rated 6.7/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center (rated 6.0/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Saint Louis), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Shepherd, see our Shepherd schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Shepherd High School Shepherd 0.1 mi 7.8
Shepherd Middle School Shepherd 0.1 mi 5.6
Odyssey MiddleHigh School Mount Pleasant 5.2 mi 4.1
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi 7.2
WAY Oasis Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi 5.9
Isabella Day Treatment Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi
Renaissance Public School Academy Mount Pleasant 6.1 mi 5.8
Mt Pleasant Senior High School Mount Pleasant 6.0 mi 7.0
Mary McGuire School Mount Pleasant 6.7 mi 5.3
Pullen Elementary School Mount Pleasant 6.6 mi 4.9
Fancher School Mount Pleasant 6.5 mi 6.7
Vowles School Mount Pleasant 6.5 mi 5.4
SACRED HEART ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 7.0 mi 6.8
Ganiard School Mount Pleasant 7.5 mi 5.8
Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma 8.9 mi 5.9
Mt Pleasant Middle School Mt. Pleasant 7.7 mi 5.8
Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis 8.4 mi 6.0
Alma Senior High School Alma 9.2 mi 7.1
GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca 9.2 mi 6.5
Pine Avenue Elementary School Alma 9.4 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48883 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,364

Median Home Value

$154,600

Median Rent

$841/mo

Population

6,755

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

41.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Atwood Elementary School Macomb, MI 5.5
Beaverton Elementary School Beaverton, MI 5.5
Brookside Elementary School Big Rapids, MI 5.5
Clarke School Saint Joseph, MI 5.5
Coopersville South Elementary School Coopersville, MI 5.5
DUTTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Caledonia, MI 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shepherd Elementary School

What grades does Shepherd Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Shepherd Elementary School?

Shepherd Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 560 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Elementary School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shepherd Elementary School rank in MI?

Shepherd Elementary School ranks #2,212 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Shepherd Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shepherd Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Shepherd Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Shepherd Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Shepherd Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Shepherd Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

60.7% of students at Shepherd 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
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
560
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Isabella County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.4%

District

Shepherd Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,768
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,837
District Rank
#4 of 5

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