Surline Elementary School

Surline Elementary School in West Branch, MI, serves 569 students in Pre-K through 4th grade as part of the West Branch-Rose City Area Schools district, making it the largest elementary school in the area by a wide margin.

Surline stands out for its strong attendance and efficient use of resources. With a chronic absenteeism rate of just 14.8%, the school dramatically outperforms the state average of 27.9% and is less than half the rate seen at nearby Sterling Elementary School (29.4%) or Rose City School (32.1%)—a notable achievement given that about 67% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school also operates very cost-effectively, spending $14,383 per student compared to $23,256 at Rose City and $16,292 at Sterling, while still achieving comparable or better results. Surline's special education program is a particular strength, ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide with a 4-star rating.

Academically, Surline shows real strengths in the early grades. In 3rd grade, 58.3% of students are proficient in math and 40% in ELA—both well above state averages and far exceeding the 23.7% and 11.9% rates at WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary, which serves a similar demographic. However, scores drop noticeably by 4th grade, with math proficiency falling to 31.1% and ELA to 33%. The school currently ranks in the 54th percentile statewide, up from the 43rd percentile last year, showing steady improvement since the pandemic. While there is room for growth in the upper grades, Surline's combination of strong attendance, excellent special education outcomes, and efficient spending makes it a solid choice for families in the West Branch area.