Baldwin Elementary School

Baldwin Elementary School in Rochester, MI, is a high-performing public school serving 534 students in grades PK through 5, part of the highly ranked Rochester Community School District.

Baldwin has earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for nine consecutive years and currently ranks in the top 12% of Michigan elementary schools. What truly sets Baldwin apart is its exceptional performance in upper elementary subjects. In the most recent school year, 5th graders achieved an 83.3% proficiency rate in English Language Arts—a remarkable 13-point advantage over the district average and nearly double the state average. Similarly, 5th-grade Social Studies proficiency reached 63.1%, far exceeding both district (50.7%) and state (27.5%) averages. This strength in upper grades suggests a particularly effective literacy and social studies program. The school also shows notable success with its special education students, who ranked in the 78th percentile statewide—a significant improvement from the previous year. Chronic absenteeism is virtually a non-issue here, with rates well below district and state averages, contributing to consistent academic success.

Compared to nearby schools, Baldwin stands out for its efficiency and targeted strengths. While its closest neighbor, Delta Kelly Elementary, has a similar demographic profile, Baldwin outperforms it significantly in 5th-grade ELA (83.3% vs. 63.1%) and Social Studies (63.1% vs. 50.4%). Interestingly, Baldwin spends less per student ($13,910) than several district peers like Brewster Elementary ($17,905) and University Hills Elementary ($17,710), yet achieves higher overall rankings and test scores. However, Musson Elementary, another nearby school, ranks even higher statewide with superior math scores across all grades. For parents, Baldwin offers an excellent, resource-efficient education with standout literacy outcomes, though families seeking the absolute top math performance might also consider Musson.