Elementary Schools in North Branch Area Schools

North Branch Area Schools in Michigan is served by a single elementary institution, North Branch Elementary School, which enrolls 964 students across grades PK through 4 in a largely rural setting.

For parents, the standout takeaway is that North Branch Elementary School is a consistently high-achieving school, ranking in the 87th percentile statewide for 2025-2026 and earning a 4-star rating for three consecutive years. Students here significantly outperform Michigan averages in every tested subject and grade. In the most recent testing year, 3rd grade math proficiency hit 65.1% versus the state’s 42.9%, and 3rd grade English Language Arts reached 64.5% compared to the state’s 38.2%. The school also keeps chronic absenteeism at 19.7%, notably better than the state’s 27.9%, despite nearly 43% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 and per-student spending of $12,731, the school achieves these results without exceptionally high costs, suggesting efficient resource use.

One area to watch is a 6.1 percentage point drop in 4th grade ELA proficiency, from 59.6% to 53.5%, even as 3rd grade ELA jumped 16.3 points to 64.5%. This volatility points to cohort sensitivity rather than systemic issues, as math scores remain remarkably stable—both grades sit about 21 points above state averages. While the school’s performance is excellent overall, the decline in 4th grade reading and the fact that 1 in 5 students is still chronically absent are worth monitoring. The district itself ranks in the 67th percentile statewide, confirming that North Branch Area Schools provides a strong educational foundation, with this elementary school clearly leading the way.