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Needs Improvement

#3052 of 3,192 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

3.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#3,052 of 3,192

In Saint Clair Shores

#17 of 17

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

South Lake Schools

School environment

7.0 / 10

Very Good

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South Lake Middle School

3.4/10

Middle School in Saint Clair Shores · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

South Lake High School

5.9/10

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

St Joan of Arc Elementary School

6.0/10

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

About South Lake Middle School

South Lake Middle School is a public middle school in Saint Clair Shores, MI, part of South Lake Schools. South Lake Middle School serves approximately 292 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. South Lake Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,052 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for South Lake Middle School show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.5 pts below MI schools
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at South Lake Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.87 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-23.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.8 pts
Overall Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-20.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,604
Chronic Absenteeism54.8%

South Lake Middle School — Students at South Lake Middle School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 38.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (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
84%
ELA
87%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
34%
ELA
53%
2012
Math
29%
ELA
54%
2013
Math
23%
ELA
54%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
15%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
16%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
14%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
15%
ELA
34%
2019
Math
15%
ELA
34%
2020*
Math
7%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
7%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
5.8%
ELA
18.8%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How South Lake Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.4/10
4th percentile in MI
Academic
2.3/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.0/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.8%

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 6.5/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Grosse Pointe Woods), which scores notably higher. Another option is Eastpointe Middle School (rated 2.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Eastpointe), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Harper Woods Middle School (rated 2.6/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Harper Woods), with a comparable 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 5.9
ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Saint Clair Shores 0.6 mi 6.0
Avalon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores 0.6 mi 4.3
Elmwood Elementary School Saint Clair Shores 0.7 mi 3.9
Parcells Middle School Grosse Pointe Woods 1.2 mi 6.5
Harmon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores 1.2 mi 4.4
Stevens T Mason Elementary School Grosse Pointe Woods 1.2 mi 4.1
Harper Woods Middle School Harper Woods 1.2 mi 2.6
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 7.1
Eastpointe Middle School Eastpointe 1.6 mi 2.8
Reach Charter Academy Roseville 1.8 mi 4.0
Forest Park Elementary School Eastpointe 1.6 mi 5.3
Ferry Elementary School Grosse Pointe Woods 1.6 mi 7.6
Harper Academy Harper Woods 1.7 mi 6.1
Grosse Pointe North High School Grosse Pointe Woods 1.9 mi 8.5
Harper Woods High School Harper Woods 1.7 mi 5.2
Tyrone Elementary School Harper Woods 2.2 mi 2.2
Ardmore Elementary School Saint Clair Shores 2.3 mi 6.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
White Cloud Junior High School White Cloud, MI 3.4
Clarenceville Middle School Livonia, MI 3.5
LakeVille Middle School Otisville, MI 3.5
University Preparatory Academy PSAD Middle Detroit, MI 3.5
Northwestern Middle School Battle Creek, MI 3.2
Mt Morris Middle School Mount Morris, MI 3.1

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 ranks #3,052 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is South Lake Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Lake Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 South Lake Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, South Lake Middle School has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
73 Very Walkable
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.8%

District

South Lake Schools
District Enrollment
1,426
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,604
District Rank
#4 of 4

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