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Very Good

#736 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 23% in state

Based on limited data

South Elementary School

Elementary School · Ithaca Public Schools

400 WEBSTER ST, Ithaca, MI 48847

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

232

Student-Teacher

13.6:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 2nd

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Ithaca

#1 of 4

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#457 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 3

Ithaca Public Schools

School environment

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About South Elementary School

South Elementary School serves 232 students in prekindergarten through second grade in Ithaca, Michigan. This regular public school maintains a favorable 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio with 17 full-time equivalent teachers, providing personalized attention during these crucial early learning years. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #541 out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 83rd percentile among Michigan elementary schools.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10, South Elementary demonstrates solid educational outcomes as students build foundational skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. Located on Webster Street, the school serves families in a community where the median household income is $61,809 and median home values are $146,200. About 20% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 13.6% of the population experiences poverty, reflecting a diverse socioeconomic mix that enriches the school environment.

As an early elementary school focusing exclusively on the youngest learners, South Elementary plays a vital role in establishing strong academic foundations before students transition to upper elementary grades. The school operates in Gratiot County's rural setting, where families value close-knit community connections and personalized educational experiences for their children during these formative years.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South 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

Partial Profile · 2/3 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.4Above Average49%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on MI state average
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.3Excellent51%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,459

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How South Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in MI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Environment
8.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

400 WEBSTER ST, Ithaca, MI 48847

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Luce Road Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Pine Avenue Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Alma), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fulton Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Middleton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ithaca, see our Ithaca schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.3 mi
School Distance Rating
North Elementary School Ithaca 0.9 mi 4.9
Ithaca High School Ithaca 1.3 mi 5.3
ITHACA SDA SCHOOL Ithaca 1.5 mi
COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ithaca 5.5 mi 5.5
Hillcrest Elementary School Alma 6.5 mi 6.8
ST MARY SCHOOL Alma 7.4 mi 6.9
Eugene M Nikkari Elementary Saint Louis 8.1 mi 6.3
Pine Avenue Elementary School Alma 7.7 mi 7.5
Alma Senior High School Alma 7.9 mi 6.7
GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca 7.9 mi 6.8
Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma 8.2 mi 5.0
St Louis High School Saint Louis 8.7 mi 5.6
St Louis Correctional Facility Saint Louis 8.9 mi
TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis 8.9 mi 4.2
Luce Road Elementary School Alma 8.1 mi 7.8
Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis 9.2 mi 6.3
Fulton Middle School Middleton 9.3 mi 5.2
Fulton High School Middleton 9.3 mi 6.2
Fulton Elementary School Middleton 9.4 mi 7.4
Ashley Middle School Ashley 9.3 mi 8.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48847 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$63,967

Median Home Value

$164,400

Median Rent

$819/mo

Population

5,773

College Educated

22.5%

Homeownership

79.4%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

40.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Elementary School has a median household income of $63,967. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $164,400, with a median rent of $819/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Central Elementary School Menominee, MI 7.4
Dossin ElementaryMiddle School Detroit, MI 7.4
Earl F Carr School Lincoln Park, MI 7.4
Fulton Elementary School Middleton, MI 7.4
John R Kment Elementary School Roseville, MI 7.4
Lessenger Elementary School Madison Heights, MI 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Elementary School

What grades does South Elementary School serve?

South Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 2nd.

How many students attend South Elementary School?

South Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 232 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does South Elementary School rank in MI?

South Elementary School is ranked #736 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is South Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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.

Is South Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is South Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

49.6% of students at South 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
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (456/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 2nd
Enrollment
232
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Gratiot County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ithaca Public Schools
District Enrollment
993
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,321
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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