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Central School

Q: Is Central School a good school?

Central School ranks 741 st of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-5

741^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 50% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Central School is a K-5 elementary school in Owosso, MI, serving 409 students within the Owosso Public Schools district. This school has become a standout success story in the area, climbing from a 1-star rating just a few years ago to its current 3-star status—the highest ranking it has achieved in recent data.

What makes Central School particularly noteworthy is how consistently it outperforms expectations. In the most recent school year, Central exceeded its district average in 15 of 16 subject and grade combinations. The school shines brightest in 4th grade math, where 53.4% of students are proficient—a remarkable 14 points above the state average and higher than every comparable school in the area, including the more affluent Laingsburg Elementary School. Central also excels in 5th grade social studies, with 36.8% proficiency compared to just 27.5% statewide. Perhaps most impressively, Central maintains an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 14%—nearly half the district rate of 27.8% and lower than all nearby schools, including Emerson School (18%) and Bryant School (34.7%). This strong attendance is a key driver of academic success.

Central School is the highest-performing elementary school in the Owosso district, outpacing both Emerson (38th percentile) and Bryant (27th percentile). It achieves these results while spending less per student ($13,300) than its peer schools, demonstrating efficient use of resources. The school has also shown dramatic improvement in serving special education students, jumping from the 6th to the 41st percentile statewide in just two years. While 5th grade math remains a challenge (26.3% proficiency vs. 32.2% statewide), and there is room for growth in serving male students, Central's overall upward trajectory suggests effective leadership and instructional strategies that are making a real difference for families in the Owosso community.

409

Students ?

16.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,300

Per pupil spending ?

37.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

91.9%

Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 4.8% (any vaccine)

600 W Oliver St
Owosso, MI 48867-2218

(989) 723-2790

District: Owosso Public Schools

Students who attend Central School usually attend:

Middle:	Owosso Middle School
High:	Owosso High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.3%

Hispanic:

5.6%

Two or more races:

5.6%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Central School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 42nd percentile in 2016 → 50th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 8 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Michigan median (50th percentile)

Worth a look

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

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school36%

District avg31%

Michigan avg38%

741^st of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 50%▲ up 8 pts since 2016

From bottom 42% (2016) to top 50% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 3Elementary Schools in the Owosso Public Schools

412^th of 625Owosso 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	47.3	741 of 1492	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.3	785 of 1488	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.3	982 of 1486	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.8	874 of 1470	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.8	748 of 1344	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.8	643 of 1153	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.6	1012 of 1408	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.7	939 of 1448	35.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	43.4	803 of 1466	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	44.1	891 of 1548	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	54.9	719 of 1580	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	58.5	667 of 1533	56.5%	★★★☆☆
2013	70.5	429 of 1563	72.6%	★★★★☆
2012	67.0	494 of 1566	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	76.5	304 of 1552	80.4%	★★★★☆
2010	70.2	515 of 1552	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	73.1	405 of 1589	74.5%	★★★★☆
2008	61.8	711 of 1577	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	72.9	359 of 1565	77.1%	★★★★☆
2006	71.6	401 of 1545	74.0%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	46.5	654 of 1343	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	39.0	784 of 1338	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.1	924 of 1342	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	32.7	871 of 1321	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.3	789 of 1106	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.7	697 of 902	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	16.5	1016 of 1171	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.4	925 of 1443	35.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	31.6	927 of 1352	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	26.3	1013 of 1346	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.6	993 of 1381	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	42.8	758 of 1350	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	45.5	572 of 1099	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.7	438 of 749	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.1	854 of 1134	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	44.8	813 of 1397	41.8%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	38.0	825 of 1372	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.3	761 of 1366	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.0	1004 of 1347	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.1	861 of 1334	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	35.4	732 of 1139	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.7	540 of 915	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.5	861 of 1196	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	39.2	924 of 1446	36.1%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	42.9	144 of 246	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	16.7	211 of 225	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	33.9	811 of 1199	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.8	837 of 1206	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	20.4	1016 of 1204	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	30.2	858 of 1198	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.6	760 of 1102	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.4	637 of 1005	36.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	19.1	976 of 1128	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	27.6	971 of 1253	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Female (2026)51st percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)41st percentile-9 vs school

Male (2026)40th percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)32nd percentile-18 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)31st percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Science42%~ state avg

Math37%~ state avg

Social Studies37%+9 vs state

English Language Arts33%-8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central 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 Vaccination 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)	Vaccination (2025-26)		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 English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central School	Public	K-5	600 W Oliver St	Owosso	48867	Shiawassee County	Owosso Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 723-2790	409	24	16.9	37.4%	357 (87.3%)	3 (0.7%)	23 (5.6%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.6%)	47.3	741^st of 1492 public elementary schools	50.3%		45.3	785^th of 1488 public elementary schools	47.2%	44	28.1	37.9	34.2		34.4	53.4	26.3		42.1	36.8	91.9%	4.8%	$13,300	$1,040	$12,260
Emerson School	Public	K-5	515 E Oliver St	Owosso	48867	Shiawassee County	Owosso Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 725-7361	421	28	15.2	53.7%	380 (90.3%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.5%)	35.7	921^st of 1492 public elementary schools	38.3%		43	822^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	44.8%	99	34.8	34.4	25.0		33.3	42.2	32.7		25.0	15.4	90.8%	6.9%	$14,843	$1,801	$13,043
Bryant School	Public	K-5	925 Hampton St	Owosso	48867	Shiawassee County	Owosso Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 723-4355	431	28	15.2	70.5%	376 (87.2%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (4.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (7.4%)	24.1	1096^th of 1492 public elementary schools	26.5%		27.6	1044^th of 1488 public elementary schools	29.8%	52	23.8	23.1	27.0		25.4	25.6	25.4		33.3	12.7	82.1%	5.4%	$14,785	$2,305	$12,479
Elsa Meyer Elementary School	Public	K-3	100 Hastings St	Corunna	48817	Shiawassee County	Corunna Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 743-4404	484	31	15.8	65.9%	423 (87.4%)	5 (1.0%)	22 (4.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (6.8%)								(n/a)	52.2				52.7						91.3%	5.6%	$15,589	$1,630	$13,959
Leonard Elementary School	Public	K-2	732 Mabbit Rd	Ovid	48866	Shiawassee County	Ovid-Elsie Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 834-5029	284	15	19.2	58.1%	255 (89.8%)	1 (0.4%)	16 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.2%)								(n/a)											92%	6.7%	$14,210	$1,494	$12,716
Bertha Neal School	Public	PK, KG-1	930 W Main St	Durand	48429	Shiawassee County	Durand Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 288-2016	158	15	10.5	59.5%	148 (93.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (5.1%)								(n/a)											84.5%	9.9%	$16,965	$1,169	$15,796
Morrice Area Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	111 E Mason	Morrice	48857	Shiawassee County	Morrice Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(517) 625-3142	196	18	10.8	42.9%	182 (92.9%)	3 (1.5%)	7 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.0%)	25	1082^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	27.5%		34.3	948^th of 1488 public elementary schools	36.3%	134	25.7	22.9	22.2		31.4	42.9	18.5		18.5	11.1	75%	15.6%	$11,196	$531	$10,665
Laingsburg Elementary School	Public	K-5	117 Prospect St	Laingsburg	48848	Shiawassee County	Laingsburg Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(517) 651-5067	521	31	16.8	26.1%	482 (92.5%)	3 (0.6%)	21 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	12 (2.3%)	65.8	478^th of 1492 public elementary schools	68.0%		74	350^th of 1488 public elementary schools	76.5%	128	45.9	56.1	50.6		35.3	48.8	38.0		45.6	45.6			$12,698	$576	$12,122
Robert Kerr School	Public	2-5	9591 E Monroe Rd	Durand	48429	Shiawassee County	Durand Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 288-2805	361	22	16.2	56.0%	328 (90.9%)	2 (0.6%)	7 (1.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (6.1%)	38.6	880^th of 1492 public elementary schools	41.0%		36.6	914^th of 1488 public elementary schools	38.6%	34	40.2	36.5	36.5		39.1	26.0	22.4		40.0	17.6			$14,204	$1,094	$13,110
Perry Upper Elementary	Public, Virtual	3-6	2775 W Britton Rd	Perry	48872	Shiawassee County	Perry Public Schools	No	No	Yes	No	(517) 625-6196	307	16	18.9	37.1%	278 (90.6%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (6.2%)	41.1	840^th of 1492 public elementary schools	43.7%					(n/a)	44.4	38.5	20.3	55.1	44.4	36.4	10.1	44.9	20.3	7.6			$15,157	$996	$14,161

Frequently Asked Questions about Central School

Is Central School a good school?

Central School ranks 741^st of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Central School in?

Owosso Public Schools

What schools do graduates of Central School attend?

Students who attend Central School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Owosso Middle School
High : Owosso High School

How many students attend Central School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 409 students attended Central School.

What is the racial makeup of Central School?

Students at Central School are 87% White, 6% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2021–22 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 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.