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Average

#1327 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 42% in state

Vanderbilt Area School

School · Vanderbilt Area Schools

947 DONOVAN ST, Vanderbilt, MI 49795

Enrollment

112

Student-Teacher

28:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#149 of 279

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Vanderbilt Area School

Vanderbilt Area School, located in the rural community of Vanderbilt, Michigan, offers education from kindergarten through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 112 students and a student-teacher ratio of 28:1, the school provides personalized attention to each learner. Four full-time teachers are dedicated to fostering an educational environment that supports the growth and development of all students.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the 40th percentile among Michigan schools. Academically, Vanderbilt Area School has a score of 4.3/10, with 34% of students proficient or above in ELA and reading, and 22% proficient or above in math. While these scores indicate areas for improvement, the school is committed to enhancing its academic programs to better serve its students.

Vanderbilt Area School sits nestled in a rural setting where the community feels close-knit and supportive.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 112 students, Vanderbilt Area School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Vanderbilt Area School is 28:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Vanderbilt Area 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+1.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.1%
Math vs. State Avg-16.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.8 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)16%
vs. Expected+13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,688

Vanderbilt Area School — Students at Vanderbilt Area School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

92.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.5%
School
State
35.3%
ELA Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
45.3%

Based on 16 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
15%
ELA
34.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
24.5%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
34.8%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Vanderbilt Area School Compares

See how Vanderbilt Area School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
58th percentile in MI
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
2.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
93%
Teaching Staff
28:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

947 DONOVAN ST, Vanderbilt, MI 49795

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Vanderbilt Area School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Boyne Falls Public School (rated 8.6/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Boyne Falls), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alanson Public School (rated 7.9/10, 21.7 miles away, in nearby Alanson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Concord Academy Petoskey (rated 7.9/10, 19.7 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vanderbilt, see our Vanderbilt schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Gaylord High SchoolVoc Bldg Gaylord 6.8 mi 7.6
North Ohio Elementary School Gaylord 7.4 mi 8.0
ST MARY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Gaylord 7.9 mi 5.7
OTSEGO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gaylord 8.4 mi 3.8
Gaylord Intermediate School Gaylord 8.4 mi 6.9
South Maple Elementary School Gaylord 8.5 mi 7.7
Gaylord Middle School Gaylord 8.6 mi 6.9
Wolverine Elementary School Wolverine 9.0 mi 7.9
Wolverine MiddleHigh School Wolverine 9.1 mi 4.9
Inland Lakes Elementary School Indian River 17.6 mi 6.5
Inland Lakes Secondary School Indian River 17.6 mi 5.9
JohannesburgLewiston High School Johannesburg 14.8 mi 7.4
JohannesburgLewiston ElementaryMiddle School Johannesburg 14.8 mi 5.2
Boyne Falls Public School Boyne Falls 14.1 mi 8.6
NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burt Lake 20.3 mi 4.8
Concord Academy Boyne Boyne City 15.7 mi 4.8
COP ESD Programs Indian River 22.0 mi 6.9
Alanson Public School Alanson 21.7 mi 7.9
Concord Academy Petoskey Petoskey 19.7 mi 7.9
Boyne City Elementary School Boyne City 17.3 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49795 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,367

Median Home Value

$162,700

Median Rent

$918/mo

Population

1,918

College Educated

13.4%

Homeownership

78.3%

Avg Commute

21.5 min

Poverty Rate

20.2%

Median Age

44.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Vanderbilt Area School has a median household income of $57,367. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $162,700, with a median rent of $918/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Hamilton Virtual School Hamilton, MI 6.6
ISDLocal Programs Bay City, MI 6.6
COP ESD Programs Indian River, MI 6.9
Copper Country Learning Center Hancock, MI 6.9
Monroe County Education Center Monroe, MI 6.9
Northport Public School Northport, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Vanderbilt Area School

What grades does Vanderbilt Area School serve?

Vanderbilt Area School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Vanderbilt Area School?

Vanderbilt Area School has an enrollment of approximately 112 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Vanderbilt Area School?

The student-teacher ratio at Vanderbilt Area School is 28:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Vanderbilt Area School rank in MI?

Vanderbilt Area School is ranked #1327 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Vanderbilt Area School's MySchoolScout rating?

Vanderbilt Area School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Vanderbilt Area School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Vanderbilt Area School has 22.5% math proficiency and 33.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Vanderbilt Area School a charter school?

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

Is Vanderbilt Area School a Title I school?

No, Vanderbilt Area School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Vanderbilt Area School?

92.9% of students at Vanderbilt Area 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

County Safety
Low (205/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
92.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Otsego County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Vanderbilt Area Schools
District Enrollment
112
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,714
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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