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Besser Elementary School

Q: Is Besser Elementary School a good school?

Besser Elementary School ranks 843 rd of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

843^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 43% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Besser Elementary School in Alpena, MI, is a mid-sized school serving 470 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the Alpena Public Schools district, where a majority of families (59.4%) qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Besser has shown it can achieve strong results, but recent data reveals a significant setback. In the 2025-2026 school year, the school's overall ranking dropped from the 62nd to the 43rd percentile statewide, pulling its star rating down to 2 stars. This decline is most visible in the early grades: 3rd-grade reading proficiency fell to just 20.2% (compared to the state average of 38.2%), and 4th-grade math dropped to 19.5% (state: 39.4%). However, there's a bright spot in 5th grade, where students are outperforming the state—53.8% are proficient in reading (state: 43.8%) and 59% in science (state: 40%). This suggests the school is effective at accelerating learning by the time students reach their final elementary year, even if foundational skills in earlier grades are a current challenge.

Compared to nearby schools, Besser's performance is mixed. It outperforms Lincoln Elementary, which has a higher poverty rate and a 1-star rating. However, it lags behind Hinks Elementary, a peer school with a similar economic profile that consistently earns 3 stars—Hinks' 4th-grade reading and math proficiency rates (55% and 50%) are more than double Besser's (26% and 19.5%). One notable difference is chronic absenteeism: Besser's rate of 19.1% is nearly double that of Wilson Elementary (10.6%) and higher than Hinks (13.0%). Besser also spends less per student ($12,601) than Hinks ($15,921) and has larger class sizes (18.3 vs. 16.3 student-teacher ratio). While the school has demonstrated capacity for success, the recent drop in early-grade performance and attendance challenges are key areas for parents to watch.

470

Students ?

18.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,601

Per pupil spending ?

59.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

94.9%

Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 5.1% (any vaccine)

375 Wilson St
Alpena, MI 49707-1423

(989) 358-5100

District: Alpena Public Schools

Students who attend Besser Elementary School usually attend:

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

Racial breakdown:

White:

88.5%

Two or more races:

6.2%

Hispanic:

4.3%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Besser Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 62nd percentile in 2025 → 43rd in 2026

Worth a look

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

!Ranking has slipped from its 62nd-percentile peak (2025) to 43rd (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg33%

Michigan avg38%

843^rd of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 43%▲ up 12 pts since 2016

From bottom 32% (2016) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^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	40.9	843 of 1492	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	59.4	568 of 1488	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.1	664 of 1486	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	52.9	647 of 1470	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	36.0	824 of 1344	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.0	675 of 1153	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	32.9	944 of 1408	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.6	941 of 1448	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	36.5	922 of 1466	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.5	1057 of 1548	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2015	51.7	792 of 1580	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	50.4	831 of 1533	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	55.4	740 of 1563	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	56.5	700 of 1566	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	69.4	488 of 1552	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.4	583 of 1552	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	66.0	636 of 1589	60.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	65.9	608 of 1577	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	66.8	545 of 1565	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2006	48.7	1002 of 1545	35.1%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	31.3	881 of 1343	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.9	699 of 1338	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.3	845 of 1342	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.2	713 of 1321	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	27.3	843 of 1106	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.5	665 of 902	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.3	805 of 1171	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.3	872 of 1443	39.6%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	35.3	861 of 1352	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	70.7	285 of 1346	78.8%	★★★★☆
2024	55.5	540 of 1381	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.7	684 of 1350	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	37.0	699 of 1099	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	50.4	343 of 749	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	25.9	898 of 1134	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.3	1084 of 1397	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	41.6	775 of 1372	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	66.7	417 of 1366	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.0	413 of 1347	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.0	561 of 1334	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	37.1	707 of 1139	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	45.4	473 of 915	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.1	775 of 1196	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.7	960 of 1446	33.6%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	27.0	896 of 1199	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	44.4	675 of 1206	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.0	753 of 1204	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.0	749 of 1198	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	21.7	905 of 1102	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	28.8	754 of 1005	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	19.9	961 of 1128	14.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	25.8	997 of 1253	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2010	85.7	29 of 851	96.6%	★★★★★
2009	61.5	418 of 847	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2008	88.8	20 of 839	97.6%	★★★★★
2007	56.7	468 of 823	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2006	57.8	427 of 806	47.0%	★★☆☆☆

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

Male (2026)44th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)36th percentile-7 vs school

Female (2026)34th percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)25th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Science59%+19 vs state

English Language Arts33%-8 vs state

Social Studies30%~ state avg

Math25%-13 vs state

5.0

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Schools Near Besser Elementary School

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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 English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th 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
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
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
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	$11,389
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
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
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%	$12,144	$1,497	$10,647
Posen Elementary School	Public	K-6	10575 Michigan Ave	Posen	49776	Presque Isle County	Posen Consolidated School District No. 9	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 248-6500	118	7	16.4	48.3%	114 (96.6%)	1 (0.8%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.7%)	71.6	384^th of 1492 public elementary schools	74.3%		76.4	317^th of 1488 public elementary schools	78.7%	67	64.3	40.9	58.3	58.3	50.0	45.5	1485.2	58.3	50.0	33.3			$14,602	$1,169	$13,434

Frequently Asked Questions about Besser Elementary School

How many students attend Besser Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 470 students attended Besser Elementary School.

What district is Besser Elementary School in?

Alpena Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Besser Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Besser Elementary School usually go on to attend:

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

Is Besser Elementary School a good school?

Besser Elementary School ranks 843^rd of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Besser Elementary School?

Students at Besser Elementary School are 89% White, 6% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

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Schools in Alpena, MI

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

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

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