Morton Elementary School

Morton Elementary School in Marysville, MI, serves 317 students from Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the highly-rated Marysville Public Schools district.

Morton stands out for its exceptional results with students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While 62% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, the school ranks in the 93rd percentile statewide for this subgroup—a remarkable achievement that suggests the school is highly effective at supporting all learners. Overall, Morton consistently earns a 4-star rating and currently ranks in the top 23% of Michigan elementary schools. This is particularly impressive when compared to nearby schools in the Port Huron Area School District, such as Cleveland Elementary or Roosevelt Elementary, which serve similar or higher levels of economic need but rank in the bottom 15% of the state. For example, Morton's 3rd-grade math proficiency rate (62.5%) is nearly eight times higher than Cleveland's (7.89%). Within its own district, Morton outperforms Washington Elementary despite serving a student body with greater economic need, though it trails the higher-performing Gardens Elementary School, which has far fewer students in need of support.

One area of concern is 5th-grade math, where proficiency drops dramatically to just 31.5%—a pattern that has persisted for several years and suggests a possible transition challenge. On a positive note, chronic absenteeism has improved significantly, falling from 28.5% to 16.9%, which is better than both the district and state averages. Morton also invests more per student ($13,096) and maintains smaller class sizes (16.7 students per teacher) than its district peers, which may help explain its success with a higher-need population. For parents, Morton represents a school that is clearly punching above its weight, delivering strong results despite challenges that often hold other schools back.