Summary:
Elk Rapids Schools is home to one middle school, Cherryland Middle School, which serves grades 6-8 with 277 students in a relatively affluent area of Michigan where about 22% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Cherryland Middle School is a consistently high-performing school, ranking in the top 20% of Michigan middle schools for three consecutive years (currently 151st out of 896 schools). The school outperforms state proficiency averages in every subject and grade level tested, with margins ranging from 7 to nearly 17 percentage points. Its greatest strength is 8th grade PSAT Math, where 50% of students are proficient compared to 33.2% statewide — a remarkable 16.8-point advantage. Other standout results include 6th grade ELA at 51.8% proficiency (14.3 points above state) and 8th grade Science at 52.2% (13 points above state). The school also maintains a low chronic absenteeism rate of 16.1%, nearly 12 points below the state average of 27.9%, though slightly above the district's 15.0% rate.
While the school's overall profile is strong, there are a few areas to watch. Social Studies proficiency dropped notably from 73.8% to 61.4% year-over-year, and PSAT ELA declined from 84.5% to 73.3% — though both remain above state averages. The school's percentile ranking also dipped slightly from 85th to 83rd percentile, suggesting other Michigan schools are improving at a faster pace. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 and per-student spending of $14,327, Cherryland Middle School demonstrates effective resource allocation, delivering strong academic outcomes and low absenteeism. For parents, this school offers a well-rounded, above-average educational experience with particular excellence in mathematics, making it a solid choice within the Elk Rapids Schools district.
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