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Average

#1778 of 3,190 schools in MI

Spitler Elementary School

Elementary School · Hart Public School District

302 JOHNSON ST W, Hart, MI 49420

Enrollment

403

Student-Teacher

10.9:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hart

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#983 of 1,602

In district

#3 of 3

Hart Public School District

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Spitler Elementary School

Spitler Elementary School serves 403 students in grades kindergarten through fourth in Hart, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking 119th out of 3,204 Michigan schools, Spitler places in the 96th percentile statewide, demonstrating exceptional educational outcomes for its young learners. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.9 to 1 with 37 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

This staffing level supports the school's strong academic reputation and helps create an environment where students can thrive during these crucial early learning years. Located at 302 Johnson Street West, Spitler Elementary serves a community where the median household income is $58,142 and median home values are $142,500. The surrounding area has a poverty rate of 14.5%, with 17% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

Despite these mixed socioeconomic indicators, the school has clearly found ways to help students excel academically. Spitler Elementary operates in a remote rural setting within Oceana County, serving the Hart community and surrounding areas with a total ZIP code population of 6,145 residents.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Spitler 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.2%
Math vs. State Avg-17.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.7 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+4.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,665

Spitler Elementary School — Students at Spitler Elementary School score 26% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
37.8%
ELA Proficiency 28.8%
School
State
43.3%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
31%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
24.6%
ELA
27.1%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Spitler Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
44th percentile in MI
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers

Location

302 JOHNSON ST W, Hart, MI 49420

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Spitler Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. New Era Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby New Era), which scores notably higher. Another option is Walkerville Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Walkerville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Montague Area Childhood Center (rated 6.3/10, 18.9 miles away, in nearby Montague), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Hart, see our Hart schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hart High School Hart 0.1 mi 6.4
Hart Middle School Hart 0.2 mi 6.3
Shelby High School Shelby 5.5 mi 5.6
Shelby Middle School Shelby 5.6 mi 7.9
Thomas Read Elementary School Shelby 5.8 mi 3.8
Pentwater Public School Pentwater 6.5 mi 7.3
New Era Elementary School New Era 9.6 mi 8.3
NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era 9.6 mi 4.5
Walkerville Public School Walkerville 12.4 mi 6.1
Walkerville Elementary Walkerville 12.5 mi 6.6
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ludington 17.9 mi 5.9
Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc Ludington 17.9 mi 5.1
Developmental ClassroomsWSESD Ludington 17.9 mi 9.0
Ludington High School Ludington 18.4 mi 6.5
Mason County Central HS Scottville 18.3 mi 6.3
Mason County Central Upper Elementary Scottville 18.4 mi 5.6
OJ DeJonge Middle School Ludington 18.6 mi 7.3
Montague Area Childhood Center Montague 18.9 mi 6.3
Mason County Central MS Scottville 18.5 mi 6.1
Scottville Elementary School Scottville 18.5 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49420 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,583

Median Home Value

$153,300

Median Rent

$777/mo

Population

6,109

College Educated

18.8%

Homeownership

80.9%

Avg Commute

19.3 min

Poverty Rate

15%

Median Age

47

Community Profile

The community surrounding Spitler Elementary School has a median household income of $58,583. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,300, with a median rent of $777/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Bedford School Dearborn Heights, MI 6.1
Central Montcalm Elementary School Sheridan, MI 6.1
Charles A Lindbergh Elementary School Dearborn, MI 6.1
Dailey Elementary School Flint, MI 6.1
David Hicks School Inkster, MI 6.1
Emma V Lobbestael Elem School Harrison Township, MI 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Spitler Elementary School

What grades does Spitler Elementary School serve?

Spitler Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Spitler Elementary School?

Spitler Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 403 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Spitler Elementary School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Spitler Elementary School rank in MI?

Spitler Elementary School is ranked #1778 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Spitler Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Spitler Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Spitler Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Spitler Elementary School has 25.3% math proficiency and 28.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Spitler Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Spitler Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

84.6% of students at Spitler 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

City Safety
High (4,234/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Hart). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
403
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Oceana County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hart Public School District
District Enrollment
1,189
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,129
District Rank
#3 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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