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
Enrollment
112
Student-Teacher
28:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Vanderbilt Area School — Students at Vanderbilt Area School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 16 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Vanderbilt Area School Compares
See how Vanderbilt Area School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 15% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34.5% (2019) to 34.09% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (989) 983-2561
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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