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Below Average

#2736 of 3,192 schools in MI

Southside Special Educ School

School · Niles Community Schools

1450 SILVERBROOK AVE, Niles, MI 49120

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

4.5

Grades

4th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,736 of 3,192

In Niles

#13 of 13

public schools

In district

#8 of 8

Niles Community Schools

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very Good

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Southside Special Educ School

4.5/10

School in Niles · grades 4th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Niles Cedar Lane

5.9/10

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

Way Niles

6.0/10

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

About Southside Special Educ School

Southside Special Educ School is a public school in Niles, MI, part of Niles Community Schools. Southside Special Educ School serves approximately 55 students, and covers grades 4th-12th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside Special Educ School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,736 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Southside Special Educ School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares1.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • MI avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 55 students, Southside Special Educ School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

44% of students at Southside Special Educ 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.6Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-3.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College Readiness2.9Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,405
Chronic Absenteeism43.6%

Southside Special Educ School — Students at Southside Special Educ School score 25% 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

67.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 39.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 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
75%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
75%
2011
Math
30%
ELA
69.5%
2012
Math
49.5%
ELA
49.5%
2013
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2015
Math
30%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2020*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Southside Special Educ School Compares

See how Southside Special Educ School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
14th percentile in MI
Academic
4.5/10
Below Average
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good
Advanced STEM
1/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.6%

Programs & Offerings

Advanced STEM Courses1 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1450 SILVERBROOK AVE, Niles, MI 49120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Southside Special Educ School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Eastside Connections School (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brandywine Senior High School (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Niles Cedar Lane Niles 0.6 mi 5.9
WAY Niles Niles 0.6 mi 6.0
Niles Virtual School Niles 0.6 mi
Eastside Connections School Niles 0.9 mi 8.4
Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles 1.0 mi
Niles Senior High School Niles 1.2 mi 6.6
Ring Lardner Middle School Niles 1.2 mi 5.4
Brandywine Middle School Niles 1.3 mi 5.7
Brandywine Senior High School Niles 1.4 mi 7.8
ST MARY SCHOOL Niles 1.3 mi 7.9
Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles 1.6 mi 5.2
Northside Child Development Center Niles 2.1 mi
NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles 1.7 mi 6.4
Brandywine Elementary School Niles 2.6 mi 5.2
Ballard Elementary School Niles 2.1 mi 5.0
Merritt Elementary School Niles 2.8 mi 6.7
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 4.3 mi 5.3
Clay High School South Bend 6.0 mi 5.3
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend 6.1 mi 5.6
Darden Elementary School South Bend 6.2 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,940

Median Home Value

$166,800

Median Rent

$911/mo

Population

36,652

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

43

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Pine Tree Center Lake Orion, MI 4.5
Burt Township School Grand Marais, MI 4.7
GREAT LAKES MENNONITE SCHOOL Clare, MI 4.7
Eaton RESA Meadowview Offsite Charlotte, MI 4.2
Lapeer Co Education and Technology Center Attica, MI 4.8
West Ottawa Virtual Academy Holland, MI 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Southside Special Educ School

What grades does Southside Special Educ School serve?

Southside Special Educ School serves students in grades 4th through 12th.

How many students attend Southside Special Educ School?

Southside Special Educ School has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside Special Educ School?

The student-teacher ratio at Southside Special Educ School is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Southside Special Educ School rank in MI?

Southside Special Educ School ranks #2,736 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Southside Special Educ School's MySchoolScout rating?

Southside Special Educ School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Southside Special Educ School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside Special Educ School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Southside Special Educ School a charter school?

No, Southside Special Educ School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Southside Special Educ School a Title I school?

No, Southside Special Educ School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southside Special Educ School?

67.3% of students at Southside Special Educ 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
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
57 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 12th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Type
special_ed
Setting
Small City
County
Berrien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.6%

District

Niles Community Schools
District Enrollment
3,327
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,405
District Rank
#8 of 8

How we rate schools

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