Needs Improvement
#3088 of 3,190 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
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
3.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 3rd
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shelby
#3 of 3
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,549 of 1,602
In district
#4 of 4
Shelby Public Schools
School environment
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Thomas Read Elementary School
Thomas Read Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural area of Shelby, Michigan. Serving kindergarten through third grade, Thomas Read has an enrollment of 297 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.8:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.2 out of 10, placing it at the 11th percentile among Michigan schools, with an academic score of 2.1/10.
In terms of proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, 23% of students are proficient or above, while for Math, this number is slightly lower at 21%. Thomas Read Elementary focuses on student development and provides a nurturing environment where young learners can grow and thrive. The school is set amidst the rural charm of Shelby, offering a close-knit community feel to its students and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Thomas Read 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
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Thomas Read Elementary School — Students at Thomas Read Elementary School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
88.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 8 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.6/10.
How Thomas Read Elementary School Compares
See how Thomas Read Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17% (2022).
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. Oehrli Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Montague), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Era Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby New Era), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Shoreline Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Whitehall), 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 | 7.9 |
| Shelby High School Shelby | 0.3 mi | 5.6 |
| New Era Elementary School New Era | 3.8 mi | 8.3 |
| NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era | 3.9 mi | 4.5 |
| Hart High School Hart | 5.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Spitler Elementary School Hart | 5.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Hart Middle School Hart | 5.8 mi | 6.3 |
| Pentwater Public School Pentwater | 12.1 mi | 7.3 |
| Montague Area Childhood Center Montague | 13.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Nellie B Chisholm Middle School Montague | 13.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Montague High School Montague | 13.3 mi | 4.6 |
| Oehrli Elementary School Montague | 13.7 mi | 8.6 |
| Whitehall Ealy Elem School Whitehall | 14.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Whitehall Middle School Whitehall | 14.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Shoreline Elementary School Whitehall | 15.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Whitehall Senior High School Whitehall | 15.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Walkerville Public School Walkerville | 13.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Walkerville Elementary Walkerville | 13.8 mi | 6.6 |
| White Lake Area Community Education Whitehall | 19.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Twin Lake School Twin Lake | 20.1 mi | 6.8 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Read Elementary School has a median household income of $65,640. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,900, with a median rent of $697/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Einstein Elementary School Oak Park, MI | 3.8 |
| Herig School Saginaw, MI | 3.8 |
| Herrington School Pontiac, MI | 3.8 |
| Maplewood School Vermontville, MI | 3.8 |
| SHEPHERD OF THE LAKES LUTHERAN SCHOOL Brighton, MI | 3.8 |
| Marquette Elementary School Muskegon, MI | 3.7 |
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 is ranked #3088 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Thomas Read Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Read Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.8 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 Thomas Read Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Read Elementary School has 20.8% math proficiency and 23.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Average (459/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (231) 861-5541
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shelby Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,070
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,321
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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