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Alto Elementary School

Q: Is Alto Elementary School a good school?

Alto Elementary School ranks 175 th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

175^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 88% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Alto Elementary School in Alto, MI, is a public school serving 417 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the highly-ranked Lowell Area Schools district, which places in the 93rd percentile statewide.

Alto Elementary stands out most dramatically for its exceptional student attendance. In the 2024-2025 school year, only 5.4% of students were chronically absent—a fraction of the district average (17.8%) and state average (27.9%). This compares remarkably well to nearby schools like Cherry Creek Elementary (21.6% chronic absenteeism) and Endeavor Elementary (19.5%). Academically, the school shows consistent excellence across all subjects, not just reading and math. In 5th grade, science proficiency reached 60.6% and social studies 48.5%, far exceeding state averages of 40% and 27.5%, respectively. The school also demonstrates a pattern of strong growth in upper elementary grades—4th-grade math proficiency hit 76%, outpacing the district average of 64% and significantly exceeding Cherry Creek Elementary's 50.8% in the same grade and subject.

What makes Alto particularly noteworthy is its efficiency. In 2024-2025, the school spent $14,076 per student—considerably less than nearby top performers like Ada Elementary School ($19,522) and Emmons Lake Elementary School ($16,453)—yet achieved comparable or better results in key areas. The school has earned 4 or 5-star ratings from SchoolDigger for over a decade, with male students receiving 5-star ratings for three consecutive years. While rankings fluctuate slightly year-to-year, Alto's ability to rebound to top-100 status demonstrates a resilient academic program. For parents seeking a school with high engagement, strong cross-curricular achievement, and effective resource use, Alto Elementary presents a compelling option within a district known for educational quality.

417

Students ?

16.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,076

Per pupil spending ?

15.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

6150 Bancroft Ave SE
Alto, MI 49302-9311

(616) 987-2600

District: Lowell Area Schools

Students who attend Alto Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Lowell Middle School
High:	Lowell Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.6%

Hispanic:

4.6%

Two or more races:

4.6%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Alto Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 95th percentile in 2016 → 88th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (61% vs 38% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 12% of Michigan elementary schools

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school61%

District avg57%

Michigan avg38%

175^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 12%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From top 5% (2016) to top 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Elementary Schools in the Lowell Area Schools

45^th of 625Lowell Area 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	87.1	175 of 1492	88.3%	★★★★☆
2025	92.3	86 of 1488	94.2%	★★★★★
2024	84.5	191 of 1486	87.1%	★★★★☆
2023	91.3	91 of 1470	93.8%	★★★★★
2022	88.6	116 of 1344	91.4%	★★★★★
2021	82.7	153 of 1153	86.7%	★★★★☆
2019	91.9	71 of 1408	95.0%	★★★★★
2018	94.6	44 of 1448	97.0%	★★★★★
2017	90.7	69 of 1466	95.3%	★★★★★
2016	91.5	82 of 1548	94.7%	★★★★★
2015	89.6	103 of 1580	93.5%	★★★★★
2014	89.3	85 of 1533	94.5%	★★★★★
2013	88.2	112 of 1563	92.8%	★★★★★
2012	90.0	85 of 1566	94.6%	★★★★★
2011	83.4	78 of 1552	95.0%	★★★★★
2010	81.9	92 of 1552	94.1%	★★★★★
2009	81.2	170 of 1589	89.3%	★★★★☆
2008	83.8	96 of 1577	93.9%	★★★★★
2007	82.0	151 of 1565	90.4%	★★★★★
2006	83.3	100 of 1545	93.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	79.1	219 of 1343	83.7%	★★★★☆
2025	91.3	73 of 1338	94.5%	★★★★★
2024	72.3	282 of 1342	79.0%	★★★★☆
2023	89.0	86 of 1321	93.5%	★★★★★
2022	86.7	99 of 1106	91.0%	★★★★★
2021	79.4	126 of 902	86.0%	★★★★☆
2019	84.9	108 of 1171	90.8%	★★★★★
2018	94.0	35 of 1443	97.6%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	73.4	251 of 1352	81.4%	★★★★☆
2025	85.0	98 of 1346	92.7%	★★★★★
2024	72.9	265 of 1381	80.8%	★★★★☆
2023	89.6	55 of 1350	95.9%	★★★★★
2022	84.9	62 of 1099	94.4%	★★★★★
2021	83.0	51 of 749	93.2%	★★★★★
2019	94.6	15 of 1134	98.7%	★★★★★
2018	95.0	18 of 1397	98.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	88.4	120 of 1372	91.3%	★★★★★
2025	89.5	109 of 1366	92.0%	★★★★★
2024	87.7	116 of 1347	91.4%	★★★★★
2023	89.3	86 of 1334	93.6%	★★★★★
2022	83.9	135 of 1139	88.1%	★★★★☆
2021	82.6	103 of 915	88.7%	★★★★☆
2019	93.2	40 of 1196	96.7%	★★★★★
2018	92.0	68 of 1446	95.3%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	81.2	205 of 1199	82.9%	★★★★☆
2025	88.0	105 of 1206	91.3%	★★★★★
2024	80.8	190 of 1204	84.2%	★★★★☆
2023	87.7	101 of 1198	91.6%	★★★★★
2022	83.6	131 of 1102	88.1%	★★★★☆
2021	80.7	141 of 1005	86.0%	★★★★☆
2019	90.6	61 of 1128	94.6%	★★★★★
2018	93.5	36 of 1253	97.1%	★★★★★

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)

Male (2026)91st percentile+3 vs school

Female (2026)84th percentile-5 vs school

White (2026)83rd percentile-5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)81st percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Math67%+29 vs state

Science61%+21 vs state

English Language Arts58%+17 vs state

Social Studies48%+21 vs state

★

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Schools Near Alto 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 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)	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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Alto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6150 Bancroft Ave SE	Alto	49302	Kent County	Lowell Area Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 987-2600	417	25	16.6	15.6%	378 (90.6%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.6%)	87.1	175^th of 1492 public elementary schools	88.3%		92.3	86^th of 1488 public elementary schools	94.2%	89	54.3	65.3	53.0	72.9	76.0	51.5	60.6	48.5	$14,076	$975	$13,101
Kettle Lake Elementary School	Public	K-4	8451 Garbow Dr SE	Alto	49302	Kent County	Caledonia Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 868-6113	349	18	19.1	12.0%	308 (88.3%)	1 (0.3%)	14 (4.0%)	5 (1.4%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.4%)	97	26^th of 1492 public elementary schools	98.3%		98.1	13^th of 1488 public elementary schools	99.1%	13	76.5	75.3		73.5	87.0				$14,193	$183	$14,011
Bushnell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	700 Elizabeth St	Lowell	49331	Kent County	Lowell Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 987-2650	253	19	13.4	28.1%	218 (86.2%)	2 (0.8%)	12 (4.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.9%)								(n/a)									$16,177	$1,709	$14,469
Cherry Creek Elementary School	Public	2-5	12675 Foreman St	Lowell	49331	Kent County	Lowell Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 987-2700	485	27	18.2	29.3%	416 (85.8%)	11 (2.3%)	26 (5.4%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (4.9%)	74.4	345^th of 1492 public elementary schools	76.9%		73.9	352^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	76.3%	7	58.1	47.7	51.7	53.2	50.8	40.8	60.8	41.7	$18,011	$1,187	$16,823
Pine Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	3250 Redford Dr SE	Grand Rapids	49546	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8910	472	27	17.7	8.3%	404 (85.6%)	11 (2.3%)	18 (3.8%)	12 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.7%)	97.1	23^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	98.5%		94.6	57^th of 1488 public elementary schools	96.2%	34	73.3	75.9		82.4	76.9				$14,232	$751	$13,481
Emmons Lake Elementary School	Public	K-4	8950 Kraft Ave SE	Caledonia	49316	Kent County	Caledonia Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 528-8100	377	23	16.0	19.4%	299 (79.3%)	8 (2.1%)	17 (4.5%)	21 (5.6%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.7%)	94.6	56^th of 1492 public elementary schools	96.2%		96.2	37^th of 1488 public elementary schools	97.5%	19	66.7	69.4		75.0	75.3				$16,453	$338	$16,115
Thornapple Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	6932 Bridgewater Dr SE	Grand Rapids	49546	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8920	361	22	16.4	14.7%	279 (77.3%)	5 (1.4%)	20 (5.5%)	29 (8.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (7.8%)	95.3	46^th of 1492 public elementary schools	96.9%		93.1	77^th of 1488 public elementary schools	94.8%	31	64.1	76.9		75.6	76.9				$14,933	$1,127	$13,806
Caledonia Elementary School	Public	K-4	9770 Duncan Lake Ave SE	Caledonia	49316	Kent County	Caledonia Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 891-8181	378	21	18.1	20.4%	312 (82.5%)	8 (2.1%)	26 (6.9%)	8 (2.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (6.1%)	94.5	58^th of 1492 public elementary schools	96.1%		95.9	43^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	97.1%	15	71.2	61.5		86.5	80.0				$14,893	$511	$14,382
Ada Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	731 Ada Dr SE	Ada	49301	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 493-8940	293	25	11.9	10.9%	233 (79.5%)	4 (1.4%)	14 (4.8%)	27 (9.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.1%)	97	25^th of 1492 public elementary schools	98.3%		96.8	28^th of 1488 public elementary schools	98.1%	3	73.2	81.2		81.7	72.5				$19,522	$844	$18,678
Ada Vista Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-4	7192 Bradfield Ave SE	Ada	49301	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	Yes	No	No	(616) 493-8970	446	25	17.6	7.0%	315 (70.6%)	7 (1.6%)	76 (17.0%)	8 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (9.0%)	93.6	74^th of 1492 public elementary schools	95.0%		90.9	107^th of 1488 public elementary schools	92.8%	33	63.9	72.7		71.1	71.7				$13,581	$590	$12,992

Frequently Asked Questions about Alto Elementary School

What district is Alto Elementary School in?

Lowell Area Schools

Is Alto Elementary School a good school?

Alto Elementary School ranks 175^th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Alto Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 417 students attended Alto Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Alto Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Lowell Middle School
High : Lowell Senior High School

What is the racial makeup of Alto Elementary School?

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

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Schools in Alto, MI

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

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

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 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.