Summary:
The Big Rapids Public Schools district in Michigan operates three elementary schools: Brookside Elementary School, Riverview Elementary School, and Eastwood Elementary. These schools serve students from pre-kindergarten through 4th grade.
Riverview Elementary School stands out as a high-performing school within the district, consistently ranking among the top 5% of Michigan elementary schools and earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. In the 2024-2025 school year, Riverview had significantly higher proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Math compared to the district and state averages, with over 70% of 3rd and 4th graders scoring proficient or better. In contrast, Brookside Elementary appears to be the lowest-performing school in the district, with its statewide ranking hovering around the bottom 50% of Michigan elementary schools and proficiency rates in ELA and Math lagging behind the district and state averages.
Across all three schools, there are some concerning trends, such as high chronic absenteeism rates around 29-30%, significantly above the state average. Additionally, the variation in per-student spending, with Brookside Elementary receiving the highest funding, raises questions about the efficient allocation of resources and whether increased spending alone is enough to drive improved outcomes at lower-performing schools. The Big Rapids Public Schools district should closely examine the practices and resource allocation at Riverview Elementary to identify strategies that could be replicated at the other elementary schools, particularly Brookside, to drive more consistent and equitable outcomes for all students.
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