Summary:
Metamora, Michigan, is served by a single elementary school, Emma Murphy Elementary School, which enrolls 374 students in grades K-4 as part of the Lapeer Community Schools district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Emma Murphy has historically been a strong performer within its district, but its state ranking has slipped notably over the past three years. In 2023-24, the school ranked in the 76th percentile with a 4-star rating; by 2025-26, it had fallen to the 53rd percentile and a 3-star rating. Despite this decline, the school still outperformed its district in every subject and grade level during the 2024-25 school year, with particularly strong results in 3rd grade math (54.7% proficient, 16.5 points above the district) and 5th grade ELA (63.2% proficient, 18.8 points above the state). However, the most recent 2025-26 test scores reveal a dramatic drop in 3rd grade proficiency—ELA fell from 49.1% to 24.4% and math from 54.7% to 31.7%—while 4th grade scores remained stable or improved, suggesting this may be a cohort-specific issue rather than a systemic problem.
On other key metrics, Emma Murphy shows relative strengths and some concerns. Chronic absenteeism stands at 19.5%, which is significantly better than both the district (31.1%) and state (27.9%) averages. The school serves a moderate-poverty population, with 31% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, and per-student spending is $15,213. One notable concern is the student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, which is high for an elementary school and may limit individualized attention despite robust funding. The data also includes 5th grade test scores despite the school serving only K-4, suggesting coordination with a nearby school. Overall, Emma Murphy remains a bright spot within Lapeer Community Schools, but the recent ranking decline and 3rd grade score drop make it a school worth monitoring closely in the coming years.
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