Very Good
#977 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 31% in state
Southside Special Educ School
School · Niles Community Schools
1450 SILVERBROOK AVE, Niles, MI 49120
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
7.1
Grades
4th – 12th
Enrollment
55
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
7.1
Grades
4th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Niles
#2 of 13
public schools
Michigan schools
#122 of 279
In district
#1 of 8
Niles Community Schools
School environment
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Southside Special Educ School
Southside Special Educ School serves 55 students in grades 4 through 12 in Niles, Michigan, providing specialized educational services with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 11:1. With just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, this public school creates an intimate learning environment where students receive individualized attention tailored to their unique needs. The school has earned recognition for its specialized approach, achieving a strong 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #163 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 95th percentile among Michigan schools.
This impressive ranking reflects the school's commitment to serving students with special educational requirements through focused, personalized instruction. Located on Silverbrook Avenue, the school operates within Niles' supportive community environment. The surrounding area features a median household income of $59,450 and median home values around $151,300, creating a stable residential setting.
With 21% of local residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 14.7%, the community demonstrates a mix of educational backgrounds and economic circumstances. Southside Special Educ School's specialized mission and strong performance metrics make it a notable educational resource for families seeking dedicated special education services in this small Michigan city.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 55 students, Southside Special Educ School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southside Special Educ School — Students at Southside Special Educ School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.2/10.
How Southside Special Educ School Compares
See how Southside Special Educ School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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. Clay High School (rated 8.6/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby South Bend), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Brandywine Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 6.5 |
| WAY Niles Niles | 0.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Niles Virtual School Niles | 0.6 mi | — |
| Eastside Connections School Niles | 0.9 mi | 6.5 |
| Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles | 1.0 mi | — |
| Niles Senior High School Niles | 1.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Ring Lardner Middle School Niles | 1.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Brandywine Middle School Niles | 1.3 mi | 4.7 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Niles | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Northside Child Development Center Niles | 2.1 mi | — |
| NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles | 2.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Ballard Elementary School Niles | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Merritt Elementary School Niles | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| HowardEllis Elementary School Niles | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Clay High School South Bend | 6.0 mi | 8.6 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| Darden Elementary School South Bend | 6.2 mi | 6.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside Special Educ School has a median household income of $61,940. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,800, with a median rent of $911/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTERPOINT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burton, MI | 7.0 |
| Eaton RESA Meadowview Offsite Charlotte, MI | 7.2 |
| HOLLAND ADVENTIST ACADEMY Holland, MI | 7.2 |
| Buchanan Virtual Academy Buchanan, MI | 6.9 |
| COP ESD Programs Indian River, MI | 6.9 |
| Kingsley Montgomery School Waterford, MI | 6.9 |
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 is ranked #977 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Southside Special Educ School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside Special Educ School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Southside Special Educ School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside Special Educ School has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Niles). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (269) 683-0421
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Niles Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,327
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,405
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
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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