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Below Average

#2879 of 3,192 schools in MI

Thomas Read Elementary School

Elementary School · Shelby Public Schools

155 E 6TH ST, Shelby, MI 49455

Enrollment

297

Student-Teacher

14.8:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 3rd

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,879 of 3,192

In Shelby

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Shelby Public Schools

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Thomas Read Elementary School

4.1/10

Elementary School in Shelby · grades Kindergarten – 3rd. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Shelby Middle School

6.0/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Shelby High School

5.3/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Thomas Read Elementary School

Thomas Read Elementary School is a public elementary school in Shelby, MI, part of Shelby Public Schools. Thomas Read Elementary School serves approximately 297 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-3rd, and has a 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Read Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,879 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Thomas Read Elementary School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.7
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Thomas Read Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

86% of students at Thomas Read Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.54 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-29.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.9 pts
Overall Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment3.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,321
Chronic Absenteeism85.9%

Thomas Read Elementary School — Students at Thomas Read Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.9% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.9% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 30 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
17%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Thomas Read Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
10th percentile in MI
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
3.3/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
85.9%

Location

155 E 6TH ST, Shelby, MI 49455

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Thomas Read Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitehall Ealy Elem School (rated 8.0/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Whitehall), which scores notably higher. Another option is Shoreline Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Whitehall), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Oehrli Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Montague), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Shelby, see our Shelby schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 20.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Shelby Middle School Shelby 0.2 mi 6.0
Shelby High School Shelby 0.3 mi 5.3
New Era Elementary School New Era 3.8 mi 5.2
NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era 3.9 mi 4.5
Hart High School Hart 5.7 mi 6.7
Spitler Elementary School Hart 5.8 mi 5.8
Hart Middle School Hart 5.8 mi 5.5
Pentwater Public School Pentwater 12.1 mi 9.1
Montague Area Childhood Center Montague 13.1 mi 6.0
Nellie B Chisholm Middle School Montague 13.3 mi 6.0
Montague High School Montague 13.3 mi 6.4
Oehrli Elementary School Montague 13.7 mi 6.5
Whitehall Ealy Elem School Whitehall 14.5 mi 8.0
Whitehall Middle School Whitehall 14.6 mi 7.7
Shoreline Elementary School Whitehall 15.2 mi 7.5
Whitehall Senior High School Whitehall 15.9 mi 7.1
Walkerville Public School Walkerville 13.7 mi 5.9
Walkerville Elementary Walkerville 13.8 mi 6.3
White Lake Area Community Education Whitehall 19.4 mi 6.6
Twin Lake School Twin Lake 20.1 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49455 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,640

Median Home Value

$144,900

Median Rent

$697/mo

Population

5,272

College Educated

21.4%

Homeownership

79.8%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

12.4%

Median Age

37.1

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cascades Elementary School Jackson, MI 4.1
Inland Lakes Elementary School Indian River, MI 4.1
May V Peck Elementary School Center Line, MI 4.1
North Elementary School Newport, MI 4.1
Ottawa Elementary School Buchanan, MI 4.1
Oxbow Elementary School White Lake, MI 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Thomas Read Elementary School

What grades does Thomas Read Elementary School serve?

Thomas Read Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 3rd.

How many students attend Thomas Read Elementary School?

Thomas Read Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Read Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Read Elementary School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Thomas Read Elementary School rank in MI?

Thomas Read Elementary School ranks #2,879 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Thomas Read Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Thomas Read Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Thomas Read Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Read Elementary School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Thomas Read Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Thomas Read Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

88.6% of students at Thomas Read 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

Walk Score
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Oceana County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
85.9%

District

Shelby Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,070
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,321
District Rank
#4 of 4

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