Smith Elementary School

Smith Elementary School in Plymouth, MI, is a K-5 public school within the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district, serving 364 students in a well-established, family-friendly suburban community.

Smith Elementary is a consistently high-achieving school, ranking in the top 10% of Michigan elementary schools for the past decade. In the most recent school year, it earned a 5-star rating and placed in the 92nd percentile statewide. While its overall rank dipped slightly from a recent peak, its actual test scores improved in most subjects. The school shows particular strength in upper elementary grades, with 4th-grade math proficiency at 74.5% and 5th-grade science at 69.8%—both well above district averages. One standout area is 5th-grade social studies, where 58.7% of students are proficient, nearly double the state average. Smith also excels with its low-income students, ranking in the 96th percentile statewide for performance with this subgroup. Attendance is a clear strength, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 8.8%, far below the district (19.3%) and state (27.9%) averages.

Compared to its closest neighbor, Isbister Elementary, Smith's academic strengths peak in later grades (4th and 5th), while Isbister shines in early elementary. Smith also far exceeds Isbister in 5th-grade social studies. The contrast with other district schools like Hulsing Elementary is stark, highlighting significant variability within the district. Smith invests heavily in its students, spending $17,933 per pupil—more than peers like Hoben Elementary ($15,537)—and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 16.7:1. While the nearby Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy posts higher raw test scores with less spending per student, Smith's exceptional results with its low-SES students and smaller class sizes demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting every learner.