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Brownell Middle School

Public Grades 5-8

45^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 896 Michigan Middle Schools

Better than 95% of Michigan middle schools

Summary

Brownell Middle School in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, is a high-performing school serving 605 students in grades 5 through 8 as part of the highly ranked Grosse Pointe Public Schools district.

Brownell is an elite middle school by nearly any measure. It has earned a 5-star rating for a decade straight and currently ranks 45th out of 896 Michigan middle schools, placing it in the top 5% statewide. What truly sets Brownell apart, however, is its exceptional support for Special Education students—the school ranks in the top 2% statewide (5th out of 236) for this subgroup's academic performance, a remarkable achievement that speaks to the effectiveness of its instructional strategies. Academically, Brownell shines brightest in 8th grade, where 81.6% of students are proficient in Social Studies (31 points above the state average) and 91.1% meet benchmarks on the PSAT English Language Arts exam. The school also maintains a chronic absenteeism rate of just 16.9%, far better than the state average of 27.9%. While math scores saw a slight dip in 7th grade (from 71% to 63.1% proficiency), the school's overall ranking remained stable, suggesting this may be a one-year fluctuation rather than a trend.

Within its own district, Brownell sits in a clear performance hierarchy alongside Pierce Middle School (ranked 19th), while Parcells Middle School (ranked 204th) lags notably behind—for example, in 7th-grade math, Brownell and Pierce post proficiency rates around 63-66%, while Parcells sits at 43.3%. The contrast with schools in neighboring districts is even starker. Schools like Lincoln Middle School, Eastpointe Middle School, and Harper Woods Middle School face chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 50% and proficiency rates in the single digits for many subjects, while Brownell achieves proficiency rates 40-60 percentage points higher. Notably, Brownell accomplishes this with per-student spending of $17,672—significantly less than some Detroit schools like Blackwell Institute ($34,014) that achieve far weaker results. For parents, Brownell represents a school that combines consistent top-tier academics, strong special education support, and high attendance into a proven formula for success.

605

Students ?

17.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,672

Per pupil spending ?

8.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

260 Chalfonte Ave
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236-3350

(313) 432-3900

District: Grosse Pointe Public Schools

Students who attend Brownell Middle School usually attend:

High:

Grosse Pointe South High School

Feeder schools for Brownell Middle School:

Elementary:	Kerby Elementary School
	Richard Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.6%

African American:

7.3%

Two or more races:

5.1%

See top rated Michigan middle schools

Compare Brownell Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 99th percentile in 2016 → 95th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (63% vs 39% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 5% of Michigan middle schools

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school63%

District avg60%

Michigan avg39%

45^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 5%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 1% (2016) to top 5% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Middle Schools in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools

56^th of 625Grosse Pointe 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	93.9	45 of 896	95.0%	★★★★★
2025	92.7	51 of 890	94.3%	★★★★★
2024	94.6	32 of 897	96.4%	★★★★★
2023	93.4	43 of 883	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	94.7	29 of 776	96.3%	★★★★★
2021	92.5	41 of 675	93.9%	★★★★★
2019	91.5	57 of 792	92.8%	★★★★★
2018	96.0	26 of 838	96.9%	★★★★★
2017	98.8	6 of 821	99.3%	★★★★★
2016	98.1	8 of 894	99.1%	★★★★★
2015	93.1	44 of 919	95.2%	★★★★★
2014	93.5	29 of 921	96.9%	★★★★★
2013	96.1	16 of 919	98.3%	★★★★★
2012	97.4	7 of 900	99.2%	★★★★★
2011	90.1	8 of 858	99.1%	★★★★★
2010	86.5	21 of 851	97.5%	★★★★★
2009	86.4	42 of 847	95.0%	★★★★★
2008	89.8	12 of 839	98.6%	★★★★★
2007	89.8	14 of 823	98.3%	★★★★★
2006	91.2	8 of 806	99.0%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	81.4	22 of 300	92.7%	★★★★★
2023	94.1	11 of 310	96.5%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	93.9	32 of 789	95.9%	★★★★★
2025	93.0	40 of 789	94.9%	★★★★★
2024	93.2	41 of 771	94.7%	★★★★★
2023	93.1	34 of 770	95.6%	★★★★★
2022	94.1	23 of 657	96.5%	★★★★★
2021	92.3	33 of 521	93.7%	★★★★★
2019	91.4	43 of 658	93.5%	★★★★★
2018	95.1	21 of 794	97.4%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	95.0	6 of 266	97.7%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	81.9	77 of 834	90.8%	★★★★★
2025	81.1	87 of 832	89.5%	★★★★☆
2024	87.2	46 of 836	94.5%	★★★★★
2023	87.5	43 of 825	94.8%	★★★★★
2018	96.1	8 of 815	99.0%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	90.6	57 of 813	93.0%	★★★★★
2025	89.9	59 of 798	92.6%	★★★★★
2024	92.9	37 of 786	95.3%	★★★★★
2023	90.9	57 of 776	92.7%	★★★★★
2022	92.6	43 of 658	93.5%	★★★★★
2021	89.0	38 of 540	93.0%	★★★★★
2019	87.9	65 of 639	89.8%	★★★★☆
2018	95.1	35 of 797	95.6%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	89.8	5 of 236	97.9%	★★★★★
2025	90.9	7 of 244	97.1%	★★★★★
2024	77.3	22 of 201	89.1%	★★★★☆
2023	88.7	9 of 199	95.5%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	91.2	46 of 687	93.3%	★★★★★
2025	90.6	53 of 696	92.4%	★★★★★
2024	92.6	33 of 701	95.3%	★★★★★
2023	89.5	53 of 688	92.3%	★★★★★
2022	92.4	33 of 638	94.8%	★★★★★
2021	92.2	33 of 577	94.3%	★★★★★
2019	88.9	55 of 624	91.2%	★★★★★
2018	94.4	25 of 678	96.3%	★★★★★

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 (2026)98th percentile+3 vs school

Hispanic (2018)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)96th percentile~ school

White (2026)93rd percentile~ school

Male (2026)93rd percentile~ school

African American (2024)93rd percentile-4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)91st percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics63%+30 vs state

Social Studies63%+24 vs state

English Language Arts62%+22 vs state

Math60%+27 vs state

Science56%+17 vs state

2.5

2 ratings · 1 written review

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1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, January 17, 2026

Bullying is part of the culture with zero desire to change it. Classism, racism, and favoritism define the school. Administration is awful. Teachers are either very good or very poor. Would not recommend. Your child is better off at Pierce or a private school. Close Quote

Schools Near Brownell Middle 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)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)	PSAT Mathematics (2026)	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/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	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	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Brownell Middle School	Public	5-8	260 Chalfonte Ave	Grosse Pointe Farms	48236	Wayne County	Grosse Pointe Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(313) 432-3900	605	34	17.7	8.4%	500 (82.6%)	44 (7.3%)	16 (2.6%)	13 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (5.1%)	93.9	45^th of 896 public middle schools	95.0%		92.7	51^st of 890 public middle schools	94.3%	6	91.1	63.0		67.7	56.2	61.1		54.5	62.5	63.1	55.1	58.1	47.3	81.6	$17,672	$735	$16,937
J E Clark Preparatory Academy	Public	4-8	15755 Bremen St	Detroit	48224	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 417-9340	125	11	11.3	92.8%	2 (1.6%)	123 (98.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)			1363.3	1465.3	1576.9	38.9	1366.6	1464.7	1569.3	1667.9	1468.6		1466.7		$29,115	$2,488	$26,626
Parcells Middle School	Public	5-8	20600 Mack Ave	Grosse Pointe Woods	48236	Wayne County	Grosse Pointe Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(313) 432-4600	671	40	16.8	24.0%	397 (59.2%)	201 (30.0%)	25 (3.7%)	8 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	37 (5.5%)	72	204^th of 896 public middle schools	77.2%		73.7	184^th of 890 public middle schools	79.3%	20	75.6	40.0		50.6	47.4	50.3		38.1	39.6	43.3	51.4	38.0	41.3	57.5	$18,986	$629	$18,357
Pierce Middle School	Public	5-8	15430 Kercheval Ave	Grosse Pointe Park	48230	Wayne County	Grosse Pointe Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(313) 432-4700	570	30	19.3	8.8%	445 (78.1%)	35 (6.1%)	35 (6.1%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (8.1%)	96.9	19^th of 896 public middle schools	97.9%		97.3	12^th of 890 public middle schools	98.7%	7	96.6	67.1		73.1	61.4	72.4		53.7	61.4	65.9	67.9	69.4	59.7	88.4	$17,372	$657	$16,715
Harper Woods Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	19800 Anita St	Harper Woods	48225	Wayne County	Harper Woods The School District of the City of	No	Yes	No	Yes	(586) 343-1830	353	16	22.0	86.1%	10 (2.8%)	332 (94.1%)	9 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	9.6	827^th of 896 public middle schools	7.7%		6.5	859^th of 890 public middle schools	3.5%	32	28.6	7.1			11.9	12.5			1563.1	4.8		13.5		27.0	$17,988	$1,260	$16,727
Chandler Park Academy Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	20100 Kelly Rd	Harper Woods	48225	Wayne County	Chandler Park Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(248) 905-5030	514	29	17.9	91.6%	0 (0.0%)	513 (99.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	11.8	806^th of 896 public middle schools	10.0%		7.5	849^th of 890 public middle schools	4.6%	43	39.1	6.2			14.5	16.7			4.6	9.1		14.2		25.9	$12,298	$1,255	$11,043
South Lake Middle School	Public	6-8	21621 California St	Saint Clair Shores	48080	Macomb County	South Lake Schools	No	No	No	No	(586) 435-1301	309	17	17.7	59.9%	67 (21.7%)	195 (63.1%)	11 (3.6%)	4 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (10.0%)	17.3	735^th of 896 public middle schools	18.0%		10.8	806^th of 890 public middle schools	9.4%	71	45.1	14.3			23.5	16.5			17.5	5.8		13.2		27.5	$15,876	$1,044	$14,832
Eastpointe Middle School	Public	6-7	24701 Kelly Rd	Eastpointe	48021	Macomb County	Eastpointe Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(586) 533-3600	295	16	18.4	92.9%	22 (7.5%)	247 (83.7%)	10 (3.4%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.4%)	7.7	858^th of 896 public middle schools	4.2%		5.6	868^th of 890 public middle schools	2.5%	10					7.7	12.1			1552.5	4.7					$18,320	$3,017	$15,303
Blackwell Institute	Public	4-8	9330 Shoemaker St	Detroit	48213	Wayne County	Detroit Public Schools Community District	No	No	No	Yes	(313) 866-4391	92	10	9.2	96.7%	0 (0.0%)	89 (96.7%)	3 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40.4	514^th of 896 public middle schools	42.6%		49.4	417^th of 890 public middle schools	53.1%	97	46.7	26.7	1361.7	20.0	1573.8		25.0	1475.6	1567.9		40.0	40.0	20.0	40.0	$34,014	$2,363	$31,651
Jefferson Middle School	Public	6-8	27900 Rockwood St	Saint Clair Shores	48081	Macomb County	Lakeview Public Schools (Macomb)	No	No	No	No	(586) 445-4130	990	51	19.2	48.5%	658 (66.5%)	174 (17.6%)	45 (4.5%)	7 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	105 (10.6%)	68	228^th of 896 public middle schools	74.6%		69.4	216^th of 890 public middle schools	75.7%	12	77.4	33.5			39.2	42.3			39.2	38.3		44.7		60.6	$15,083	$721	$14,362

Frequently Asked Questions about Brownell Middle School

Is Brownell Middle School a good school?

Yes. Brownell Middle School ranks in the top 5.0% of Michigan middle schools.

What high school do graduates of Brownell Middle School attend?

Students who attend Brownell Middle School usually go on to attend Grosse Pointe South High School

How many students attend Brownell Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 605 students attended Brownell Middle School.

What district is Brownell Middle School in?

Grosse Pointe Public Schools

What is the racial makeup of Brownell Middle School?

Students at Brownell Middle School are 83% White, 7% African American, 5% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 2% Asian.

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MIMichigan Middle School Rankings

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Schools in Grosse Pointe Farms, 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.