Stambaugh Elementary School

Stambaugh Elementary School in Iron River, MI, serves 353 students in Pre-K through 6th grade within the West Iron County Public Schools district, a small-town school where a majority of families qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school has a notable strength in its early grades. Third graders consistently outperform state averages in both reading and math—most recently with 46.7% proficient in reading versus 38.2% statewide, and 50% in math versus 42.9% statewide. The school also does particularly well supporting students from low-income backgrounds, ranking in the 63rd percentile for that group compared to its overall 54th percentile ranking. However, there is a sharp and consistent drop when students reach 4th grade. Proficiency falls to 33.3% in reading and 29.8% in math, well below state averages. This pattern has repeated for several years, suggesting a challenging transition that families should be aware of as their children approach that grade level.

Another area of concern is a persistent gender gap, with boys ranking in the 58th percentile statewide while girls rank in only the 38th percentile. Chronic absenteeism also affects about one in four students, which can disrupt learning. On a positive note, the school's overall state ranking has climbed steadily from the 41st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 54th percentile most recently, earning it a 3-star rating. The school spends a substantial $14,793 per student, which is high for the region. With no other schools within 20 miles for comparison, Stambaugh serves as the primary elementary option for the Iron River area. Parents should feel encouraged by the strong early-grade foundation but may want to ask the school how it plans to address the 4th-grade slump and support all students equally.