Average
#352 of 460 private schools in MI
St Joseph Elementary School
Elementary School
935 W HOUGHTON AVE, West Branch, MI 48661
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
69
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
Michigan elementary schools
#237 of 307
About St Joseph Elementary School
St Joseph Elementary School serves 69 students in grades pre-K through 8 in West Branch, Michigan. This small public school maintains an excellent 10.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 7 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking #19 out of 460 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 96th percentile with a strong 8.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating.
This exceptional performance demonstrates the school's commitment to academic excellence despite its small size. The intimate school environment creates opportunities for multi-age learning and strong community connections that larger schools often cannot provide. With such low enrollment, students likely benefit from individualized instruction and the ability to participate in various activities and leadership roles.
St Joseph Elementary draws families from the surrounding West Branch community, where the median household income is $56,349 and median home value is $151,100. About 19% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 13.5%. The school is situated in a remote rural setting, serving families who value the close-knit educational environment that comes with small-town schooling in northern Michigan's Ogemaw County.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 69 students, St Joseph Elementary 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.
As a private school, St Joseph Elementary School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, St Joseph 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.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St Joseph Elementary School compares to the 5 public schools in West Branch, MI
Student Demographics
All Schools in West Branch
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Joseph Elementary School (this school) | 5.4 |
| Surline Middle School | 5.8 |
| Surline Elementary School | 5.4 |
| Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County | 6.2 |
| Ogemaw Heights High School | 6.4 |
| Rose City School | 9.2 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
935 W HOUGHTON AVE, West Branch, MI 48661
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Joseph Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rose City School (rated 9.2/10, 11.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is StandishSterling Central Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 23.3 miles away, in nearby Standish), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MioAuSable Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 26.5 miles away, in nearby Mio), which scores notably higher. For more schools in West Branch, see our West Branch schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48661 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,767
Median Home Value
$166,500
Median Rent
$839/mo
Population
10,744
College Educated
19.1%
Homeownership
77.9%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
13.6%
Median Age
48.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Joseph Elementary School has a median household income of $58,767. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,500, with a median rent of $839/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.6%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| ST EDWARD ON-THE-LAKE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeport, MI | 5.4 |
| ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Howell, MI | 5.4 |
| UPLAND HILLS SCHOOL Oxford, MI | 5.4 |
| COUNTRYSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ithaca, MI | 5.5 |
| HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Brighton, MI | 5.5 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Auburn, MI | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Joseph Elementary School
What grades does St Joseph Elementary School serve?
St Joseph Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend St Joseph Elementary School?
St Joseph Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 69 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Joseph Elementary School is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Joseph Elementary School rank in MI?
St Joseph Elementary School is ranked #352 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is St Joseph Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Joseph Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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.
Is St Joseph Elementary School a private school?
Yes, St Joseph Elementary School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is St Joseph Elementary School a religious school?
St Joseph Elementary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (424/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Branch). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 69
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 7
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 6.7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- OGEMAW
- Phone
- (989) 345-0220
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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