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Average

#2335 of 3,190 schools in MI

Surline Elementary School

Elementary School · West Branch-Rose City Area Schools

PO Box 308, West Branch, MI 48661

Enrollment

594

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Branch

#4 of 4

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,214 of 1,602

In district

#4 of 4

West Branch-Rose City Area Schools

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Surline Elementary School

Surline Elementary School is a regular public school located in the rural community of West Branch, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade, Surline offers a nurturing environment with an enrollment of 594 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 15.2:1. The dedicated teaching staff includes 39 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting each child's educational journey.

Surline Elementary School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 5.4 out of 10, ranking it #1605 among Michigan’s public schools in the state’s 50th percentile. The academic performance shows 47% proficiency or above in ELA/reading and 40% proficiency or above in math across all grade levels, indicating areas for continued growth and improvement. While Surline Elementary is situated in a rural setting with limited specific neighborhood data available, the school remains an integral part of the West Branch community.

With its focus on student development and supportive educational environment, it plays a vital role in the education of young learners in this area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Surline 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 Progress2.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.82 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.9%
Math vs. State Avg-5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5 pts
Overall Proficiency42%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected+11.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile70th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,444

Surline Elementary School — Students at Surline Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.6%
School
State
37.8%
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
53%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
34%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
36.9%
ELA
47%

* 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: 2.8/10.

How Surline Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in MI
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
2.8/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

Location

PO Box 308, West Branch, MI 48661

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Surline Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rose City School (rated 9.2/10, 11.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is StandishSterling Central Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 23.0 miles away, in nearby Standish), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MioAuSable Elementary School (rated 7.0/10, 26.1 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 22.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Surline Middle School West Branch 0.0 mi 5.8
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Branch 0.9 mi 5.4
Ogemaw Heights High School West Branch 5.5 mi 6.4
Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County West Branch 5.5 mi 6.2
Rose City School West Branch 11.0 mi 9.2
Charlton Heston Academy Saint Helen 9.9 mi 6.3
SOUTHWELL AMISH SCHOOL Gladwin 19.3 mi
Sterling Elementary School Sterling 19.9 mi 6.7
LILAC GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Gladwin 20.2 mi
WhittemorePrescott JrSr High School Whittemore 17.7 mi 5.6
WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary Whittemore 17.9 mi 4.4
MioAuSable Elementary School Mio 26.1 mi 7.0
MioAuSable High School Mio 26.1 mi 3.2
StandishSterling Central Elementary School Standish 23.0 mi 7.1
StandishSterling Central JrSr High School Standish 23.0 mi 5.7
Gladwin High School Gladwin 23.7 mi 4.1
Gladwin Elementary School Gladwin 23.9 mi 6.3
Gladwin Intermediate School Gladwin 24.0 mi 5.2
Gladwin Junior High School Gladwin 24.2 mi 4.6
SKEELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gladwin 22.0 mi 5.0

Neighborhood 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 Surline 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
Ann L Dolsen Elementary School New Hudson, MI 5.4
Beach Elementary School Cedar Springs, MI 5.4
Harwood Elementary School Sterling Heights, MI 5.4
Herbison Woods Elementary School Dewitt, MI 5.4
Highview Elementary School Dearborn Heights, MI 5.4
John M Barnes Elem School Flat Rock, MI 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Surline Elementary School

What grades does Surline Elementary School serve?

Surline Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Surline Elementary School?

Surline Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 594 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Surline Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Surline Elementary School rank in MI?

Surline Elementary School is ranked #2335 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Surline Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Surline 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.

What are the test scores at Surline Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Surline Elementary School has 39.6% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Surline Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Surline Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

69.7% of students at Surline 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
Average (424/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
594
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ogemaw County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

West Branch-Rose City Area Schools
District Enrollment
1,841
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,252
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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