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Sanborn Elementary

Q: Is Sanborn Elementary a good school?

Sanborn Elementary ranks 844 th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

844^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 43% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Sanborn Elementary is a small, rural K-5 school in Ossineke, MI, serving 201 students as part of the Alpena Public Schools district, where over half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch.

Sanborn has a standout strength: its students show up. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 13.9% of students were chronically absent—a remarkably low rate compared to the district average of 44.0% and well below the state average of 27.9%. This is a dramatic contrast with nearby schools like Ella M White Elementary (25.2%) and Lincoln Elementary (20.0%), suggesting strong family engagement and effective attendance efforts at Sanborn. However, the school is navigating a challenging academic period. After earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 74th percentile statewide in 2022-2023, Sanborn has slipped to a 2-star rating and the 43rd percentile in 2025-2026. This decline is more pronounced than at peer schools like Hinks Elementary and Wilson Elementary, which have held steady in the 55th-62nd percentile range.

One bright spot is 5th-grade English Language Arts, where 46.2% of students are proficient—above both the district (42.9%) and state (43.8%) averages. Yet the most pressing concern is the sharp drop in outcomes for low-income students. In 2023-2024, Sanborn ranked in the 86th percentile statewide for this group, but that has fallen to the 55th percentile in 2025-2026. Given that over half of the student body falls into this category, reversing this trend is critical. Compared to Alcona Elementary in the neighboring Alcona Community Schools district—which has higher poverty, higher absenteeism, and lower test scores—Sanborn still performs at a considerably higher level, but the recent slide is worth watching closely.

201

Students ?

20.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,143

Per pupil spending ?

55.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

82.1%

Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 14.3% (any vaccine)

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 — 83rd percentile in 2016 → 43rd in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (33% vs 38% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 40 percentile points since 2016

!Near the bottom of Alpena Public Schools's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg33%

Michigan avg38%

844^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 43%▼ down 40 pts since 2016

From top 17% (2016) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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

360^th of 625Alpena 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
2026	40.8	844 of 1492	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	30.4	894 of 1343	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	50.2	610 of 1352	54.9%	★★★☆☆
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
2026	42.4	761 of 1372	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
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
2026	31.8	833 of 1199	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
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 (2026)55th percentile+11 vs school

Male (2026)45th percentile~ school

Female (2026)33rd percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)31st percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Science41%~ state avg

English Language Arts36%-5 vs state

Math31%-7 vs state

Social Studies23%-4 vs state

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

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				M-Step English Language Arts (2026)			M-Step Math (2026)			M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	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%)	40.8	844^th of 1492 public elementary schools	43.4%		41.7	836^th of 1488 public elementary schools	43.8%	8	30.6	29.0	46.2	41.7	22.6	28.2	41.0	23.1	82.1%	14.3%	$12,143	$1,497	$10,647
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%)	44.2	792^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	46.9%		39	880^th of 1488 public elementary schools	40.9%	88	23.9	45.8	40.5	40.0	31.9	21.6	48.6	27.0	100%	0%	$12,889	$1,501	$11,388
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%)	37.4	894^th of 1492 public elementary schools	40.1%		19.7	1167^th of 1488 public elementary schools	21.6%	273	1270.8	38.1	35.3	1269.0	1374.1	1468.1	29.4	1473.3	85.7%	4.8%	$16,275	$1,860	$14,415
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%)	41.4	834^th of 1492 public elementary schools	44.1%		53.6	668^th of 1488 public elementary schools	55.1%	166	45.0	37.2	16.7	65.0	30.2	22.2	30.6	19.4	87.5%	12.5%	$13,934	$1,279	$12,655
Besser Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-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%)	40.9	843^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	43.5%		59.4	568^th of 1488 public elementary schools	61.8%	275	20.2	26.0	53.8	23.8	19.5	30.8	59.0	29.5	94.9%	5.1%	$12,601	$1,240	$11,361
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%)	11.2	1347^th of 1492 public elementary schools	9.7%		25.1	1079^th of 1488 public elementary schools	27.5%	268	12.1	14.3	14.6	17.2	12.5	9.8	29.3	7.3	89.2%	5.4%	$17,179	$1,791	$15,388
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%)	57.5	588^th of 1492 public elementary schools	60.6%		55.4	641^st of 1488 public elementary schools	56.9%	53	30.8	55.0	58.8	30.8	50.0	35.3	52.9	1487.0	92.3%	7.7%	$15,921	$2,064	$13,856

Frequently Asked Questions about Sanborn Elementary

How many students attend Sanborn Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 201 students attended 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

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 844^th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Sanborn Elementary!

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2021–22 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

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.