KND Elementary

KND Elementary in Brethren, MI, is a small school serving 289 students in kindergarten through 6th grade as part of the Kaleva Norman Dickson School District, a rural district where over three-quarters of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that KND Elementary faces significant academic challenges, particularly in math. The school consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools, and math proficiency rates are strikingly low—for example, only about 8% of 5th graders and 13% of 6th graders met state standards in math, compared to roughly 32% statewide. Reading scores are closer to the state average but still lag behind. This is especially notable when compared to Bear Lake Elementary, a nearby school with a similar student population and grade span that ranks in the 71st percentile statewide. The contrast suggests that factors beyond family income—such as instructional approaches and school climate—are making a meaningful difference elsewhere.

One of the biggest red flags at KND Elementary is chronic absenteeism. In the 2024-2025 school year, 40% of students were chronically absent, far exceeding the state average of 28% and rates at nearby schools like Floyd M Jewett Elementary School (25%) and Manistee Elementary School (25%). Missing that much school makes it very difficult for children to keep up, and this is likely a major driver of the low test scores. On a more hopeful note, the school has shown slight improvement in reading over the past two years, and it spends about $14,788 per student—less than nearby districts—which may point to resource constraints. If you're considering this school, it's worth asking administrators about attendance support programs and what specific math interventions are in place to help students catch up.