Lakeshore Elementary School

Lakeshore Elementary School in Holland, MI, is a mid-sized public school serving 440 students in grades PK-5 within the West Ottawa Public School District.

Lakeshore stands out for its strong academic results, especially given that nearly 46% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In the most recent school year, 4th-grade proficiency rates in both ELA and math hit 64.1%, far surpassing state averages of 41.3% and 39.4%. This pattern of above-average performance holds across 3rd and 4th grades in both subjects, showing that the school's success isn't limited to one grade or subject. Within its own district, Lakeshore is a clear leader—it's one of only two schools to earn a 4-star rating or higher, and its state ranking of 441 is dramatically better than nearby Pine Creek Elementary School (rank 1221), Woodside Elementary School (rank 936), and Great Lakes Elementary School (rank 1093). The school also spends less per student ($17,539) than many lower-performing peers, pointing to efficient use of resources.

However, there are areas of concern. Chronic absenteeism sits at 23.7%, meaning nearly one in four students misses a substantial amount of school. Additionally, 5th-grade math proficiency has dropped sharply from 62.1% two years ago to just 31.8%—a trend not seen in other grades or subjects. The performance of male students has also slipped recently, falling from the 77th to 57th percentile statewide. Meanwhile, just 2.24 miles away, Lakewood Elementary School achieves significantly higher test scores (its 5th-grade math proficiency is 65.3%, more than double Lakeshore's) despite having a similar percentage of students from low-income families. This contrast suggests there may be strategies at Lakewood worth studying. On a positive note, Lakeshore's low-income students have improved dramatically, moving from the 58th to 76th percentile statewide over two years—evidence that targeted support for vulnerable learners is working.