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Sanborn Elementary

Q: Is Sanborn Elementary a good school?

Sanborn Elementary ranks 836 th of 1488 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

836^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,488 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 44% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Sanborn Elementary is a public elementary school located in Ossineke, Michigan, serving 199 students in grades K-5. It is part of the Alpena Public Schools district, which is ranked 309 out of 613 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Sanborn Elementary faces several key challenges. The school has experienced high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 10.4% to 45.6% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the state average. Additionally, the school's test scores in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies are generally lower than the state and district averages. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's 3rd-grade ELA proficiency rate was 25.8%, compared to the state average of 38.9% and the district average of 31.9%. Sanborn Elementary also has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 65.33% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year.

When compared to other elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools district, Sanborn Elementary generally performs worse on academic measures. For instance, Hinks Elementary and Besser Elementary have higher test scores and lower chronic absenteeism rates than Sanborn Elementary. The school's declining statewide ranking, from a high of 264 out of 1,548 Michigan elementary schools in 2015-2016 to 836 out of 1,488 in 2024-2025, is also a concerning trend.

201

Students ?

20.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,922

Per pupil spending ?

55.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

12170 Us Highway 23 S
Ossineke, MI 49766-9776

(989) 358-5800

District: Alpena Public Schools

Students who attend Sanborn Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Thunder Bay Junior High School
High:	Alpena High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.5%

Hispanic:

5.5%

Two or more races:

3.0%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Sanborn Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 72nd percentile in 2015 → 44th in 2025

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 28 percentile points since 2015

!English Language Arts scores 11 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school35%

District avg37%

Michigan avg39%

836^th of 1,488

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 44%▼ down 28 pts since 2015

From top 28% (2015) to bottom 44% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 6Elementary Schools in the Alpena Public Schools

309^th of 613Alpena Public Schools among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	41.7	836 of 1488	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	65.7	475 of 1486	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	70.6	383 of 1470	73.9%	★★★★☆
2022	57.9	520 of 1344	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	41.6	644 of 1153	44.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.8	876 of 1408	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.1	644 of 1448	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	69.8	361 of 1466	75.4%	★★★★☆
2016	79.5	264 of 1548	82.9%	★★★★☆
2015	70.2	442 of 1580	72.0%	★★★★☆
2014	49.3	845 of 1533	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	44.0	950 of 1563	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	38.6	1078 of 1566	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	54.1	918 of 1552	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	64.6	698 of 1552	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2009	63.0	722 of 1589	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2008	52.5	985 of 1577	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	49.5	1014 of 1565	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2006	42.5	1132 of 1545	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	41.7	743 of 1338	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	60.1	466 of 1342	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.4	557 of 1321	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	53.7	472 of 1106	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.7	484 of 1443	66.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	46.8	678 of 1346	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	77.2	189 of 1381	86.3%	★★★★☆
2023	84.9	106 of 1350	92.1%	★★★★★
2022	68.6	252 of 1099	77.1%	★★★★☆
2019	50.8	526 of 1134	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	69.1	328 of 1397	76.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	28.9	961 of 1366	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	58.7	512 of 1347	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	40.4	723 of 1196	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.5	764 of 1446	47.2%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	31.9	846 of 1206	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	49.0	591 of 1204	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	57.0	477 of 1198	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.6	655 of 1102	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	29.1	748 of 1005	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.8	928 of 1128	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	46.9	682 of 1253	45.6%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2010	58.3	486 of 851	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	56.8	491 of 847	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	64.1	362 of 839	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	47.1	566 of 823	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2006	50.7	513 of 806	36.4%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)50th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2025)44th percentile~ school

White (2025)30th percentile-14 vs school

Male (2025)30th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2024-2025) ?

Science48%+8 vs state

Math36%~ state avg

English Language Arts31%-11 vs state

Social Studies28%~ state avg

3.0

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, February 13, 2020

Sanborn is an amazing place for students to learn and grow! My children loved Sanborn. It is a small school with a family feel. There are a lot of great family events. This school is a true gem. Both of my children excelled and both are in advanced courses at the secondary level. Keep up the great work Sanborn staff. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, May 28, 2012

Sanborn has a lot of room for improvement. I don't feel the teachers are doing what is necessary of them to help the children learn better.I feel there is a line between doing homework with your child and doing the teachers job at home.I understand due to the economy there are a lot of corners to cut but you can't keep putting more on the parents that the teachers should be doing in the classroom with your child.As a single parent it is very frustrating to say the least.I truly wish there was a way for parents to receive the per pupil funding of $6846.00 to use towards resources for homeschooling your child(ren). Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Sanborn School has a wonderful instructional and support staff that always make themselves available for any needed conferences. My wife and I have found the school to be flexible and truly child centered. We appreciate their attention and support over the last several years. Keep up the great effort! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 21, 2010

As a parent I am very unhappy with Sanborn.As educators they have failed my child.Instead of getting the proper help he needed they just wanted to fail him 2 years in a row and let him figure it out on his own.Class rooms are over crowded.At one point there was 32 in his class room and I was told 8 others were failing also.My son will not be going back to this school again.I recommend all parents who consider this school to do their research before enrolling their child(ren).I am very disappointed to say the least with Sanborn. Close Quote

Schools Near Sanborn Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				M-Step English Language Arts (2025)			M-Step Math (2025)			M-Step Science (2025)	M-Step Social Studies (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sanborn Elementary	Public	K-5	12170 Us Highway 23 S	Ossineke	49766	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5800	201	10	20.2	55.7%	182 (90.5%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (5.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.0%)	41.7	836^th of 1488 public elementary schools	43.8%		65.7	475^th of 1486 public elementary schools	68.0%	361	25.8	27.0	41.4	35.5	35.1	37.9	48.3	27.6	$14,922	$2,163	$12,759
Ella M White Elementary	Public	K-5	201 N Ripley Blvd	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5950	440	25	17.7	68.6%	396 (90.0%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (4.8%)	6 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.6%)	39	880^th of 1488 public elementary schools	40.9%		41.8	821^st of 1486 public elementary schools	44.8%	59	24.0	32.9	39.7	38.7	26.3	24.4	46.8	30.4	$13,200	$1,938	$11,261
Lincoln Elementary	Public	K-5	309 W Lake St	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5900	146	10	14.5	78.8%	131 (89.7%)	2 (1.4%)	3 (2.1%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (6.2%)	19.7	1167^th of 1488 public elementary schools	21.6%		13.2	1280^th of 1486 public elementary schools	13.9%	113	18.2	29.4	26.3	27.3			21.1		$18,035	$2,443	$15,593
Wilson Elementary	Public	K-5	4999 S Herron Rd	Herron	49744	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5700	220	15	14.7	55.0%	196 (89.1%)	2 (0.9%)	12 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.5%)	53.6	668^th of 1488 public elementary schools	55.1%		40.5	837^th of 1486 public elementary schools	43.7%	169	39.5	31.3	40.6	46.5	40.6	34.4	56.3	34.4	$13,873	$1,245	$12,629
Besser Elementary School	Public	K-5	375 Wilson St	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5100	470	26	18.3	59.4%	416 (88.5%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (4.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	29 (6.2%)	59.4	568^th of 1488 public elementary schools	61.8%		53.1	664^th of 1486 public elementary schools	55.3%	96	37.7	56.4	52.7	39.0	43.6	35.6	47.9	34.2	$12,182	$1,891	$10,291
Alcona Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	181 N Barlow Rd	Harrisville	48740	Alcona County	Alcona Community Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(989) 736-8146	318	24	13.1	80.5%	296 (93.1%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (5.0%)	25.1	1079^th of 1488 public elementary schools	27.5%		17.6	1208^th of 1486 public elementary schools	18.7%	129	24.1	17.5	32.6	19.0	17.5	23.9	43.5	19.6	$16,488	$2,124	$14,365
Hinks Elementary	Public	K-5	7667 Us Highway 23 N	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5560	132	8	16.3	56.1%	125 (94.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.3%)	55.4	641^st of 1488 public elementary schools	56.9%		59.5	558^th of 1486 public elementary schools	62.4%	83	45.5	63.2	39.1	54.5	57.9	17.4	43.5	21.7	$16,885	$2,331	$14,554

Frequently Asked Questions about Sanborn Elementary

What schools do graduates of Sanborn Elementary attend?

Students who attend Sanborn Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Thunder Bay Junior High School
High : Alpena High School

How many students attend Sanborn Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 201 students attended Sanborn Elementary.

What is the racial makeup of Sanborn Elementary?

Students at Sanborn Elementary are 91% White, 5% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Sanborn Elementary in?

Alpena Public Schools

Is Sanborn Elementary a good school?

Sanborn Elementary ranks 836^th of 1488 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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Schools in Ossineke, MI

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.