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Below Average

#2818 of 3,190 schools in MI

Starr Elementary School

Elementary School · Plainwell Community Schools

601 SCHOOL DR, Plainwell, MI 49080

Enrollment

451

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Plainwell

#4 of 5

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,427 of 1,602

In district

#4 of 6

Plainwell Community Schools

About Starr Elementary School

Starr Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Plainwell, Michigan. Nestled on the fringe of an urban area, it offers education for students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 451 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, Starr Elementary provides personalized attention to each child’s learning needs.

The school has 28 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting the academic and social development of its young learners. Starr Elementary School receives a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks at number 2240 among Michigan schools, which places it in the 30th percentile statewide. Academically, the school shows that 39% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% achieve proficiency or higher in Math.

These scores indicate areas where there is room for growth and improvement. Starr Elementary School sits in a town setting, offering a close-knit community atmosphere where families can actively participate in their children's education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37.2%
Math vs. State Avg-11.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-4.7 pts
Overall Proficiency34%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.1Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,455

Starr Elementary School — Students at Starr Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 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
46%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
30.3%
ELA
37.1%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Starr Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
12th percentile in MI
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
2.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

601 SCHOOL DR, Plainwell, MI 49080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Starr Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parchment Northwood Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gilkey Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Parchment North Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plainwell, see our Plainwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Plainwell High School Plainwell 0.1 mi 4.0
Plainwell Middle School Plainwell 0.1 mi 4.9
Gilkey Elementary School Plainwell 0.7 mi 7.7
Renaissance High School Plainwell 1.3 mi 6.0
Dix Street Elementary School Otsego 2.2 mi 5.3
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Otsego 2.9 mi 5.7
Washington Street Elementary School Otsego 3.1 mi 5.4
Otsego Middle School Otsego 3.2 mi 4.8
Otsego West Campus High School Otsego 3.3 mi
Otsego High School Otsego 3.3 mi 7.5
Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo 4.8 mi 3.2
Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo 5.0 mi 6.8
Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin 6.8 mi 3.4
Martin High School Martin 6.8 mi 6.0
Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo 8.5 mi 6.1
Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo 8.0 mi 8.3
EAST MARTIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martin 8.3 mi 6.1
Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo 8.8 mi 4.8
KALAMAZOO SDA JUNIOR ACADEMY Kalamazoo 9.1 mi 6.2
Parchment North Elem School Kalamazoo 8.2 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,250

Median Home Value

$234,400

Median Rent

$982/mo

Population

15,410

College Educated

28.5%

Homeownership

82.7%

Avg Commute

24.9 min

Poverty Rate

11.4%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Starr Elementary School has a median household income of $75,250. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,400, with a median rent of $982/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. 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
Alcona Elementary School Harrisville, MI 4.6
Cavanaugh School Lansing, MI 4.6
Central Elementary School Linden, MI 4.6
Donelson Hills Elementary School Waterford, MI 4.6
Fordline Elementary School Southgate, MI 4.6
Joseph G Steenland Elementary School Roseville, MI 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Starr Elementary School

What grades does Starr Elementary School serve?

Starr Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Starr Elementary School?

Starr Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 451 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Starr Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Starr Elementary School rank in MI?

Starr Elementary School is ranked #2818 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Starr Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Starr Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Starr Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Starr Elementary School has 31.5% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Starr Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Starr Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

62.7% of students at Starr 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
Elevated (1,473/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Allegan County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Plainwell Community Schools
District Enrollment
2,647
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,272
District Rank
#4 of 6

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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