Summary:
The three elementary schools within Alma Public Schools in Michigan serve students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, split across distinct grade bands: Luce Road Elementary School (PK–K), Hillcrest Elementary School (1st–3rd), and Pine Avenue Elementary School (4th–5th). The district serves a community with significant economic need, as over two-thirds of students at every school qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.
Each school has a distinct profile. Pine Avenue is the only school with recent upward momentum, climbing from the 34th to the 47th percentile in state rankings over the past three years, and it is the sole school to beat the state average in any subject—5th-grade math (34.1% proficient vs. 32.2% statewide). Hillcrest posts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (16.9%) and test scores closest to state averages, though its most recent ranking data is from 2008-2009. Luce Road stands out for its exceptionally high chronic absenteeism rate of 37.9%—more than double the other schools—despite having the lowest student-teacher ratio (8.7) and highest per-student spending ($21,262).
Across the district, academic proficiency lags state averages in nearly every subject and grade, with 5th-grade social studies (19.4% vs. 27.5% state) and 4th-grade math (34.4% vs. 39.4% state) showing the largest gaps. Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide concern, though Luce Road’s rate is alarmingly high and may signal a need for early intervention. Spending does not clearly correlate with outcomes: Luce Road spends the most per student yet faces the biggest attendance challenge, while Hillcrest spends the least but shows the strongest relative performance. For parents, Pine Avenue appears to be on a positive trajectory, while Hillcrest offers stability and Luce Road provides a supportive early-childhood environment despite attendance hurdles.
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