Summary:
Interlochen, Michigan, is home to a single public elementary school, Lake Ann Elementary School, which serves students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade within the Benzie County Central Schools district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Lake Ann Elementary shows real strengths but also significant inconsistency. The school consistently outperforms its home district in nearly every subject and grade level, which is a positive sign. Its most impressive results come from the 5th grade, which has posted scores well above state averages in both Math and Science. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, 5th-grade Math proficiency hit 61.5%, compared to just 32.9% statewide. The school also benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 13.7, suggesting smaller class sizes, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.9% that is far better than the district's 34.8%, despite half of the students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
However, the data reveals a volatile picture. While 5th grade excels, 3rd and 4th grade scores often fall below state averages, particularly in Math and ELA. A concerning trend is the dramatic drop in 4th-grade scores in the most recent school year, with Math proficiency falling to just 19.23% and ELA to 26.9%. This year-to-year volatility is reflected in the school's declining statewide ranking, which has slipped from the 62nd percentile to the 50th percentile over three years. In short, Lake Ann Elementary has a strong upper-elementary program and a positive school culture, but parents should be aware that academic performance can vary widely depending on the grade and the specific cohort of students, suggesting a need for more consistent instruction across all grade levels.
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