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Average

#1150 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 36% in state

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School

Elementary School · Suttons Bay Public Schools

310 Elm Street PO Box 367, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Enrollment

225

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Suttons Bay

#1 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#675 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 3

Suttons Bay Public Schools

School environment

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School serves 225 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in the charming lakeside community of Suttons Bay, Michigan. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an impressive 12.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes that many families find appealing. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #440 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Michigan elementary schools.

This strong standing reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in serving its diverse student body spanning nine grade levels. The surrounding community demonstrates a strong commitment to education, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a relatively low poverty rate of 6.2%. The area's median household income of $78,274 and median home value of $345,500 reflect a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community that values educational investment.

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School operates as a regular public school in Leelanau County's rural setting near town, offering families the benefits of small-town education while maintaining academic standards that compete well across the state.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Suttons Bay Elementary Middle 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 Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.8%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.3%
Math vs. State Avg-21 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-4.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,614

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School — Students at Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.0%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 30.5%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
21.5%
ELA
31.8%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School Compares

See how Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.9/10
64th percentile in MI
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

310 Elm Street PO Box 367, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TCAPS Montessori School (rated 9.2/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Old Mission Peninsula School (rated 9.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Central Grade School (rated 8.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Suttons Bay, see our Suttons Bay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Suttons Bay Virtual School Suttons Bay 0.0 mi 6.4
Suttons Bay Senior High School Suttons Bay 0.1 mi 3.4
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy Lake Leelanau 2.7 mi 7.2
Leland Public School Leland 6.1 mi 6.7
Northport Public School Northport 11.0 mi 6.9
Old Mission Peninsula School Traverse City 9.4 mi 9.0
THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL Traverse City 11.6 mi 7.3
Willow Hill Elementary School Traverse City 13.8 mi 5.1
Central Grade School Traverse City 14.7 mi 8.2
Central High School Traverse City 14.4 mi 7.7
Eastern Elementary School Traverse City 14.4 mi 4.4
North EdBridgeway Traverse City 14.8 mi 6.0
The Greenspire School Traverse City 15.1 mi 7.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City 15.1 mi 6.5
North EdCreekside School Traverse City 15.2 mi 7.7
West Senior High Traverse City 15.5 mi 7.3
TCAPS Montessori School Traverse City 15.6 mi 9.2
Traverse Heights Elem School Traverse City 15.5 mi 4.9
North EdNew Horizons Traverse City 15.5 mi 8.8
THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE Traverse City 15.7 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49682 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,688

Median Home Value

$367,400

Median Rent

$1,227/mo

Population

4,528

College Educated

42.2%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

53.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School has a median household income of $89,688. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,400, with a median rent of $1,227/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Atherton Elementary School Burton, MI 6.9
Bad Axe Elementary School Bad Axe, MI 6.9
Bushnell Elementary School Lowell, MI 6.9
Central Montcalm Upper Elem School Stanton, MI 6.9
Chester F Miller School Saginaw, MI 6.9
East Shore Leadership Academy Port Huron, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School

What grades does Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School serve?

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School?

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 225 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School rank in MI?

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School is ranked #1150 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School has 23.0% math proficiency and 30.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School a Title I school?

No, Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School?

68.9% of students at Suttons Bay Elementary Middle 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

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
62 Bikeable
County Safety
Average (279/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
225
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Leelanau County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Suttons Bay Public Schools
District Enrollment
551
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,718
District Rank
#1 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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