Besser Elementary School

Public K-5

 375 Wilson St
       Alpena, MI  49707-1423


(989) 358-5100

District: Alpena Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
647th of 1,470 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,919 Help


Students who attend Besser Elementary School usually attend:

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

Student/teacher ratio:  17.6 Help
Number of students:  456

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.6%
Two or more races:
4.8%
Hispanic:
3.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  54.8% Help


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 Compare Besser Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Besser Elementary School ranks better than 56% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 2nd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 52.93. (See more...)
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Compare Details Besser Elementary School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2010 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.71. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.6%), two or more races (4.8%), Hispanic (3.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 54.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Alpena Public Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Besser Elementary School is 17.6, which is the 2nd best among 6 elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Besser Elementary School employs 25.8 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Besser Elementary School is $10,919. 4 elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2023 Rankings:

Besser Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Besser Elementary School 647th of 1470 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Besser Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Alpena Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Alpena Public Schools 322nd of 606 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Besser Elementary School?

Rank History for Besser Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Besser Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 48.74 1002nd 1545 35.1%
2007 66.81 545th 1565 65.2%
2008 65.95 608th 1577 61.4%
2009 65.98 636th 1589 60.0%
2010 68.42 583rd 1552 62.4%
2011 69.39 488th 1552 68.6%
2012 56.45 700th 1566 55.3%
2013 55.38 740th 1563 52.7%
2014 50.38 831st 1533 45.8%
2015 51.70 792nd 1580 49.9%
2016 33.47 1057th 1548 31.7%
2017 36.52 922nd 1466 37.1%
2018 39.64 941st 1448 35.0%
2019 32.94 944th 1408 33.0%
2021 40.01 675th 1153 41.5%
2022 36.04 824th 1344 38.7%
2023 52.93 647th 1470 56.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Besser Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.30 1084th 1397 22.4%
2019 25.86 898th 1134 20.8%
2021 50.42 343rd 749 54.2%
2022 37.02 699th 1099 36.4%
2023 46.75 684th 1350 49.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Besser Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.34 872nd 1443 39.6%
2019 33.33 805th 1171 31.3%
2021 29.47 665th 902 26.3%
2022 27.33 843rd 1106 23.8%
2023 43.20 713th 1321 46.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Besser Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.72 960th 1446 33.6%
2019 36.07 775th 1196 35.2%
2021 45.42 473rd 915 48.3%
2022 37.13 707th 1139 37.9%
2023 55.00 561st 1334 57.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Besser Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.79 997th 1253 20.4%
2019 19.91 961st 1128 14.8%
2021 28.78 754th 1005 25.0%
2022 21.68 905th 1102 17.9%
2023 39.05 749th 1198 37.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Besser Elementary School

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Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 57.85 427th 806 47.0%
2007 56.67 468th 823 43.1%
2008 88.84 20th 839 97.6%
2009 61.53 418th 847 50.6%
2010 85.71 29th 851 96.6%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Besser Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Besser Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 509 1 2 3 0 n/a n/a -3 512
1989 502 4 1 4 0 n/a n/a -6 505
1990 515 5 1 3 0 n/a n/a -8 516
1991 409 8 3 2 0 n/a n/a 100 522
1992 477 8 3 4 2 n/a n/a 0 494
1993 478 10 7 5 9 n/a n/a 0 509
1994 480 8 4 4 6 n/a n/a 0 502
1995 485 5 7 4 3 n/a n/a 0 504
1996 485 5 7 4 3 n/a n/a 0 504
1997 453 8 7 3 2 n/a n/a 0 473
1998 470 6 6 4 2 n/a n/a 0 488
1999 446 5 3 4 3 n/a n/a 0 461
2000 459 5 3 2 3 n/a n/a 0 472
2001 453 7 4 3 2 n/a n/a 0 469
2002 444 5 3 3 2 n/a n/a 0 457
2003 444 5 3 3 2 n/a n/a 0 457
2004 492 2 3 1 2 n/a n/a 0 500
2005 472 0 4 1 1 n/a n/a 0 478
2006 440 3 5 1 3 n/a n/a 0 452
2007 425 1 4 2 3 n/a n/a 0 435
2008 449 1 3 4 2 n/a n/a 2 461
2009 423 4 2 1 3 n/a n/a 1 434
2010 426 1 4 0 2 n/a n/a 9 442
2011 338 2 3 0 1 0 4 0 348
2012 333 1 2 0 3 0 4 0 343
2013 294 4 1 0 2 0 5 0 306
2014 329 0 2 2 1 0 2 0 336
2015 339 2 2 4 0 0 5 0 352
2016 397 2 5 9 1 0 11 0 425
2017 406 3 4 10 0 0 12 0 435
2018 405 2 4 14 0 0 14 0 439
2019 391 4 4 11 1 0 16 0 427
2020 395 3 3 13 2 1 12 0 429
2021 391 1 3 6 2 1 15 0 419
2022 394 1 2 13 2 1 16 0 429
2023 413 3 2 14 1 1 22 0 456

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Besser Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 512 n/a n/a n/a
1989 505 n/a n/a 25.3
1990 516 32.0 16.1 27.7
1991 522 n/a n/a n/a
1992 494 n/a n/a 38.7
1993 509 n/a 0.0 36.7
1994 502 24.9 20.2 32.5
1995 504 25.7 19.6 28.6
1996 504 25.7 19.6 28.6
1997 473 26.0 18.2 26.8
1998 488 26.0 18.8 28.5
1999 461 25.0 18.4 28.4
2000 472 24.3 19.4 35.2
2001 469 24.3 19.3 39
2002 457 23.5 19.4 37.4
2003 457 23.5 19.4 37.4
2004 500 26.5 18.9 38.8
2005 478 24.9 19.2 36.6
2006 452 25.0 18.1 42
2007 435 23.9 18.2 42.1
2008 461 23.3 19.8 39.2
2009 434 23.0 18.9 43.4
2010 442 22.9 19.2 48
2011 348 19.0 18.2 53.2
2012 343 17.7 19.3 51.3
2013 306 17.2 17.7 47.7
2014 336 16.6 20.1 47.9
2015 352 18.0 19.5 50
2016 425 21.0 20.2 52.2
2017 435 21.3 20.4 50.8
2018 439 21.9 19.9 52.2
2019 427 20.8 20.5 53.6
2020 429 23.1 18.5 56.4
2021 419 23.3 17.9 52.5
2022 429 23.6 18.1 52
2023 456 25.8 17.6 54.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Besser Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 512 n/a n/a n/a
1989 505 n/a n/a 25.3
1990 516 32.0 16.1 27.7
1991 522 n/a n/a n/a
1992 494 n/a n/a 38.7
1993 509 n/a 0.0 36.7
1994 502 24.9 20.2 32.5
1995 504 25.7 19.6 28.6
1996 504 25.7 19.6 28.6
1997 473 26.0 18.2 26.8
1998 488 26.0 18.8 28.5
1999 461 25.0 18.4 28.4
2000 472 24.3 19.4 35.2
2001 469 24.3 19.3 39
2002 457 23.5 19.4 37.4
2003 457 23.5 19.4 37.4
2004 500 26.5 18.9 38.8
2005 478 24.9 19.2 36.6
2006 452 25.0 18.1 42
2007 435 23.9 18.2 42.1
2008 461 23.3 19.8 39.2
2009 434 23.0 18.9 43.4
2010 442 22.9 19.2 48
2011 348 19.0 18.2 53.2
2012 343 17.7 19.3 51.3
2013 306 17.2 17.7 47.7
2014 336 16.6 20.1 47.9
2015 352 18.0 19.5 50
2016 425 21.0 20.2 52.2
2017 435 21.3 20.4 50.8
2018 439 21.9 19.9 52.2
2019 427 20.8 20.5 53.6
2020 429 23.1 18.5 56.4
2021 419 23.3 17.9 52.5
2022 429 23.6 18.1 52
2023 456 25.8 17.6 54.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Besser Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $848 (8.8%) $8,753 (91.2%) $9,601
2020 $701 (7.8%) $8,309 (92.2%) $9,011
2021 $1,536 (14.9%) $8,784 (85.1%) $10,320
2022 $1,603 (14.7%) $9,315 (85.3%) $10,919

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Besser Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 944th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 647th of 1470 Elementary schools
 23%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Besser Elementary School)34.764.9
 30.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)39.343.6
 4.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Besser Elementary School)42.745.5
 2.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)47.843.2
 4.6%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Besser Elementary School)32.239.7
 7.5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)32.342.9
 10.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Besser Elementary School)18.631.5
 12.9%
   4th Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)21.934.9
 13%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Besser Elementary School)53.443.9
 9.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)41.232.9
 8.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Besser Elementary School)34.228.8
 5.4%
   5th Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)22.625.4
 2.8%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Besser Elementary School)1119.7
 8.7%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Alpena Public Schools)5.814.5
 8.7%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students427456
 6.8%
African American43
 25%
American Indian11
Asian42
 50%
Hispanic1114
 27.3%
Pacific Islander01
White391413
 5.6%
Two or More Races1622
 37.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.6%54.8%
 1.2%


Schools Near Besser Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Besser Elementary School

In the 2022-23 school year, 456 students attended Besser Elementary School.

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

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

Besser Elementary School ranks 647th of 1470 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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


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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. School Attendance Areas provided by ATTOM.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that school and district boundary data 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.





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