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Oehrli Elementary School

Q: Is Oehrli Elementary School a good school?

Oehrli Elementary School ranks 984 th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 1-5

984^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 34% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Oehrli Elementary School in Montague, MI, serves 436 students in grades 1 through 5 and is part of the Montague Area Public Schools district, which ranks in the mid-tier of Michigan districts.

Oehrli is currently experiencing a significant academic downturn. After reaching a 4-star rating and the 73rd percentile in the 2022-2023 school year, the school has dropped sharply to a 2-star rating and the 34th percentile in the most recent data. This decline is especially stark when compared to Whitehall Ealy Elementary School, located just 1.35 miles away with nearly identical demographics (45.4% vs. 46.9% free/reduced lunch). In 5th grade ELA, only 20% of Oehrli students are proficient versus 60% at Whitehall Ealy; in 5th grade math, the gap is 17.6% versus 43.2%. Just two years ago, Oehrli actually outperformed Whitehall Ealy in 4th grade math and science, making this reversal particularly striking. The decline is concentrated in the general education population—while White students dropped from the 55th to the 19th percentile, the school's Special Education students have remained relatively stable around the 40th percentile.

Interestingly, Oehrli's challenges do not appear to stem from attendance or funding. The school's chronic absenteeism rate (17.3%) is well below the state average (27.9%) and far lower than nearby Holton Elementary School (26.3%) or Marquette Elementary School (52.6%). Oehrli also spends more per student ($15,893) than its higher-performing neighbor Whitehall Ealy ($13,766) and maintains a favorable 14.6 student-teacher ratio. This suggests the issue lies in how resources are being utilized rather than a lack of them. The pattern points to a post-pandemic rebound that has not been sustained, unlike North Muskegon Elementary School, which has remained consistently strong. For parents, this means Oehrli is a school with solid attendance and funding that is currently underperforming academically—a situation that warrants asking school leadership about the strategies being implemented to reverse this recent trend.

436

Students ?

14.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,893

Per pupil spending ?

45.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

4859 Knudsen St
Montague, MI 49437-1342

(231) 894-9018

District: Montague Area Public Schools

Students who attend Oehrli Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Nellie B Chisholm Middle School
High:	Montague High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.2%

Hispanic:

10.1%

Two or more races:

2.1%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Oehrli Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 58th percentile in 2016 → 34th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (28% vs 38% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 24 percentile points since 2016

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school28%

District avg28%

Michigan avg38%

984^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 34%▼ down 24 pts since 2016

From top 42% (2016) to bottom 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

280^th of 625Montague Area 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	31.2	984 of 1492	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	40.9	851 of 1488	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	63.4	508 of 1486	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	69.4	404 of 1470	72.5%	★★★★☆
2022	60.4	474 of 1344	64.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.6	561 of 1153	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	34.8	915 of 1408	35.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	52.2	754 of 1448	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	42.0	830 of 1466	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	57.5	653 of 1548	57.8%	★★★☆☆
2015	56.8	681 of 1580	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	65.6	513 of 1533	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.2	608 of 1563	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.5	721 of 1566	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	57.6	845 of 1552	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	59.8	860 of 1552	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	64.2	686 of 1589	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	60.1	768 of 1577	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2007	57.9	797 of 1565	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2006	60.2	721 of 1545	53.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	31.2	886 of 1343	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	33.3	871 of 1338	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	59.4	480 of 1342	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.8	387 of 1321	70.7%	★★★★☆
2022	53.6	476 of 1106	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	39.2	544 of 902	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	30.2	847 of 1171	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	50.9	733 of 1443	49.2%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	33.6	887 of 1352	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.0	663 of 1346	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	75.1	232 of 1381	83.2%	★★★★☆
2023	66.4	334 of 1350	75.3%	★★★★☆
2022	63.7	320 of 1099	70.9%	★★★★☆
2021	48.7	364 of 749	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	27.3	877 of 1134	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	52.5	677 of 1397	51.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	23.5	1035 of 1372	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.9	826 of 1366	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	57.1	542 of 1347	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	64.8	425 of 1334	68.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	56.2	463 of 1139	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	38.3	561 of 915	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	28.9	871 of 1196	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	50.4	747 of 1446	48.3%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	39.6	148 of 252	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.4	128 of 225	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.6	133 of 195	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	55.4	143 of 403	64.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	22.0	973 of 1199	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	29.8	880 of 1206	27.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	52.6	543 of 1204	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.4	414 of 1198	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.8	512 of 1102	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.8	545 of 1005	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	25.9	883 of 1128	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	41.0	765 of 1253	38.9%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2025)41st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)34th percentile~ school

Female (2026)34th percentile~ school

Male (2026)25th percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)19th percentile-15 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Math33%-5 vs state

Science29%-11 vs state

English Language Arts28%-13 vs state

Social Studies15%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Oehrli 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
Oehrli Elementary School	Public	1-5	4859 Knudsen St	Montague	49437	Muskegon County	Montague Area Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 894-9018	436	30	14.6	45.4%	380 (87.2%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (10.1%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.1%)	31.2	984^th of 1492 public elementary schools	34.0%		40.9	851^st of 1488 public elementary schools	42.8%	133	35.0	29.1	20.0	36.3	44.2	17.6	29.4	15.3	$15,893	$1,510	$14,382
Montague Area Childhood Center	Public	PK-K	9151 Dicey St	Montague	49437	Muskegon County	Montague Area Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 894-9018	85	7	11.8	49.4%	73 (85.9%)	2 (2.4%)	7 (8.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.5%)								(n/a)									$20,431	$2,708	$17,723
Whitehall Ealy Elementary School	Public	3-5	425 E Sophia St	Whitehall	49461	Muskegon County	Whitehall District Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 893-1040	431	28	15.4	46.9%	355 (82.4%)	7 (1.6%)	35 (8.1%)	2 (0.5%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.5%)	69	422^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	71.7%		68.5	433^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	70.9%	11	45.2	49.3	60.0	55.5	51.4	43.2	48.4	28.4	$13,766	$1,211	$12,555
Shoreline Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	205 E Market St	Whitehall	49461	Muskegon County	Whitehall District Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 893-1050	432	29	15.0	47.5%	361 (83.6%)	4 (0.9%)	29 (6.7%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	34 (7.9%)								(n/a)									$16,445	$1,259	$15,186
Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1807 W Giles Rd	Muskegon	49445	Muskegon County	Reeths-Puffer Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 744-1693	428	25	17.2	41.4%	349 (81.5%)	12 (2.8%)	33 (7.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (7.5%)	37.5	893^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	40.1%		41.7	838^th of 1488 public elementary schools	43.7%	55	32.9	34.9		34.2	33.7				$13,590	$422	$13,168
Twin Lake School	Public	PK, KG-4	3175 5th St	Twin Lake	49457	Muskegon County	Reeths-Puffer Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 719-3190	205	15	13.7	51.7%	172 (83.9%)	7 (3.4%)	14 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (5.4%)	33.2	952^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	36.2%		49.6	723^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	51.4%	229	23.1	39.5		25.0	36.8				$15,402	$622	$14,779
ReethsPuffer Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	874 E Giles Rd	Muskegon	49445	Muskegon County	Reeths-Puffer Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 744-4777	600	34	17.6	59.5%	491 (81.8%)	38 (6.3%)	28 (4.7%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.5%)	45.4	771^st of 1492 public elementary schools	48.3%		40.6	855^th of 1488 public elementary schools	42.5%	84	37.1	36.5		37.1	40.9				$13,656	$1,021	$12,635
Pennsylvania Elementary School	Public	K	2500 Pennsylvania Ave	Muskegon	49445	Muskegon County	Reeths-Puffer Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 638-0253	39	2	19.5	10.3%	34 (87.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (7.7%)								(n/a)									$12,306	$188	$12,119
North Muskegon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Mills Ave	Muskegon	49445	Muskegon County	North Muskegon Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 719-4201	406	25	16.1	27.8%	314 (77.3%)	24 (5.9%)	25 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (10.6%)	58	585^th of 1492 public elementary schools	60.8%		67	465^th of 1488 public elementary schools	68.8%	120	29.5	50.0	40.6	54.1	57.4	40.6	42.2	26.6	$14,923	$1,052	$13,870
Holton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6245 Syers Rd	Holton	49425	Muskegon County	Holton Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 821-1825	338	25	13.5	72.5%	305 (90.2%)	4 (1.2%)	11 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.3%)	25.1	1081^st of 1492 public elementary schools	27.5%		25.5	1071^st of 1488 public elementary schools	28.0%	10	27.1	31.0	30.6	37.5	29.3	11.3	29.5	4.8	$16,911	$2,646	$14,264

Frequently Asked Questions about Oehrli Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Oehrli Elementary School?

Students at Oehrli Elementary School are 87% White, 10% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

Is Oehrli Elementary School a good school?

Oehrli Elementary School ranks 984^th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Oehrli Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 436 students attended Oehrli Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Oehrli Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Nellie B Chisholm Middle School
High : Montague High School

What district is Oehrli Elementary School in?

Montague Area Public Schools

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Schools in Montague, 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.