Below Average
#2932 of 3,190 schools in MI
South Lake Middle School
Middle School · South Lake Schools
21621 CALIFORNIA ST, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Saint Clair Shores
#13 of 16
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#463 of 497
In district
#3 of 4
South Lake Schools
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About South Lake Middle School
South Lake Middle School serves 292 students in grades 6 through 8 in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, receiving a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #566 out of 3,204 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education to its students. South Lake Middle School draws from a stable suburban community where families demonstrate a strong commitment to education. The surrounding neighborhood in the 48080 ZIP code has a median household income of $68,424 and a median home value of $174,800, with 32% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area maintains a low poverty rate of 8.6%, contributing to a supportive environment for learning. Located on California Street, South Lake Middle School sits in the heart of Saint Clair Shores, a large suburban community in Macomb County that offers students the benefits of suburban living while maintaining accessibility to the greater Detroit metropolitan area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Lake Middle School — Students at South Lake Middle School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 3.2/10.
How South Lake Middle School Compares
See how South Lake Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 5.88% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 19.27% (2022).
Location
21621 CALIFORNIA ST, Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Lake Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Parcells Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Woods), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eastpointe Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Eastpointe), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harper Woods Middle School (rated 4.0/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Harper Woods), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Saint Clair Shores, see our Saint Clair Shores schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| South Lake High School Saint Clair Shores | 0.5 mi | 5.2 |
| ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Clair Shores | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Avalon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores | 0.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Elmwood Elementary School Saint Clair Shores | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| Parcells Middle School Grosse Pointe Woods | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Harmon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores | 1.2 mi | 6.5 |
| Stevens T Mason Elementary School Grosse Pointe Woods | 1.2 mi | 3.9 |
| Harper Woods Middle School Harper Woods | 1.2 mi | 4.0 |
| MAPLE PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL Saint Clair Shores | 1.5 mi | — |
| ST ISAAC JOGUES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Clair Shores | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Princeton Elementary School Saint Clair Shores | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Eastpointe Middle School Eastpointe | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Reach Charter Academy Roseville | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Forest Park Elementary School Eastpointe | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Ferry Elementary School Grosse Pointe Woods | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Harper Academy Harper Woods | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Grosse Pointe North High School Grosse Pointe Woods | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Harper Woods High School Harper Woods | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Tyrone Elementary School Harper Woods | 2.2 mi | 2.9 |
| Ardmore Elementary School Saint Clair Shores | 2.3 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,884
Median Home Value
$188,800
Median Rent
$1,070/mo
Population
21,799
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
79.8%
Avg Commute
26.8 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
44.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding South Lake Middle School has a median household income of $69,884. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $188,800, with a median rent of $1,070/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% 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 |
|---|---|
| Forest Area Middle School Fife Lake, MI | 4.3 |
| Tawas Area Middle School Tawas City, MI | 4.3 |
| Caro Middle School Caro, MI | 4.2 |
| Jefferson Middle School Monroe, MI | 4.2 |
| Sheridan Road Lansing, MI | 4.2 |
| TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis, MI | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Lake Middle School
What grades does South Lake Middle School serve?
South Lake Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend South Lake Middle School?
South Lake Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 292 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Lake Middle School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Lake Middle School rank in MI?
South Lake Middle School is ranked #2932 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is South Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Lake Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 South Lake Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Lake Middle School has 7.6% math proficiency and 22.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is South Lake Middle School a charter school?
No, South Lake Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Lake Middle School a Title I school?
No, South Lake Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Lake Middle School?
66.1% of students at South Lake Middle 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
- County Safety
- Low (122/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 292
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Macomb County
- Phone
- (586) 435-1301
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
South Lake Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,426
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,604
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
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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