Best Elementary Schools in Carleton, MI

Carleton, Michigan is home to two elementary schools—Joseph C Sterling Elementary School and Loren Eyler Elementary School—both serving grades PK-4 within the Airport Community Schools district, a mid-ranked district (56th percentile statewide) in a small Michigan community.

These two schools show distinct strengths. Sterling Elementary stands out for its excellent attendance—only 16% chronic absenteeism versus 19.3% at Eyler Elementary—and its 4th graders outperform Eyler's in ELA (50% vs. 37.5%) while matching them in math (51.3% vs. 51.8%). Sterling also serves fewer economically disadvantaged students (46% vs. 52% free/reduced lunch) and spends less per pupil ($13,194 vs. $14,814). However, Sterling has experienced a troubling decline, dropping from the 81st to 61st percentile in state rankings over two years, with 3rd grade ELA falling from 57.7% to 35.1% proficiency. Conversely, Eyler Elementary excels in 3rd grade, posting 50.9% ELA and 56.4% math proficiency—both well above state averages—and has maintained a more stable ranking trajectory, though its 4th grade ELA lags notably behind.

Both schools outperform state averages in most subjects, a notable achievement given their district's mid-tier status. The most significant concern is Sterling's recent multi-year slide, which may reflect challenging student cohorts rather than systemic issues, given the small class sizes (300-370 students) that make year-to-year metrics volatile. For parents, the choice may come down to grade-level priorities: Eyler offers stronger early elementary outcomes, while Sterling currently provides better 4th grade results and far better attendance. The spending gap between the schools—with Eyler spending $1,620 more per student without a consistent academic advantage—suggests families should look beyond resources to the specific grade-level strengths and school culture when deciding between these two solid, above-average options.