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WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary

Public Grades K-6

1203^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 19% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Whittemore-Prescott Area Elementary is a K-6 public school in Whittemore, MI, serving 347 students within the Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools district, where 83% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Parents should know that this school faces significant academic challenges. Proficiency rates on state tests are dramatically lower than the Michigan average across all subjects and grade levels. For example, only 11.9% of 3rd graders were proficient in English language arts compared to 38.2% statewide, and just 9.3% of 4th graders were proficient in math versus 39.4% statewide. The school has ranked in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools for the past decade. One of the most concerning issues is chronic absenteeism, which has remained above 32% for four straight years—far higher than nearby schools like Surline Elementary School (14.8%) and Standish-Sterling Central Elementary School (17.5%). This attendance problem is not regional; it appears specific to this school community.

What makes the situation more puzzling is that the school spends $16,157 per student—more than the state average and more than several higher-performing neighbors. For instance, Standish-Sterling Central Elementary School spends $13,183 per student yet achieves proficiency rates two to three times higher. Even Rose City School, which serves a similar percentage of economically disadvantaged students (82.5%), posts dramatically better results—82.35% of its 3rd graders were proficient in math compared to just 23.7% at Whittemore-Prescott. There is one small positive: 5th and 6th-grade reading scores (29.4% and 27%) are notably higher than 3rd and 4th-grade scores (11.9% and 9.3%), suggesting some literacy growth in upper grades. However, the overall pattern points to resource inefficiency and inconsistent instruction that parents should investigate carefully when considering this school.

347

Students ?

15.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,157

Per pupil spending ?

83%

Free/discounted lunch ?

8878 Prescott Rd
Whittemore, MI 48770-9434

(989) 756-2502

District: Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools

Students who attend WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary usually attend:

High:

WhittemorePrescott JrSr High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

87.6%

Hispanic:

6.3%

Two or more races:

2.9%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 3rd percentile in 2021 → 19th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 19th (2026) from a 3rd-percentile low (2021)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (19% vs 37% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (19th percentile)

!English Language Arts scores 21 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school19%

District avg19%

Michigan avg37%

1,203^rd of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 19%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From bottom 32% (2016) to bottom 19% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

550^th of 625Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	18.6	1203 of 1492	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	20.6	1146 of 1488	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.9	1158 of 1486	22.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	12.0	1280 of 1470	12.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	16.9	1118 of 1344	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	5.9	1124 of 1153	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	17.3	1170 of 1408	16.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.7	1185 of 1448	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	29.3	1031 of 1466	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	33.7	1052 of 1548	32.0%	★★☆☆☆
2015	45.2	916 of 1580	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2014	26.9	1208 of 1533	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	32.6	1151 of 1563	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	36.6	1110 of 1566	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	50.2	987 of 1552	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	47.6	1113 of 1552	28.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	36.1	1282 of 1589	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	53.1	969 of 1577	38.6%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	16.2	1172 of 1343	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.3	1041 of 1338	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.7	1073 of 1342	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.1	1111 of 1321	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.0	948 of 1106	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.4	1029 of 1171	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.3	1154 of 1443	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	19.2	1147 of 1352	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	25.7	1020 of 1346	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.1	1080 of 1381	21.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	11.5	1243 of 1350	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	27.3	836 of 1099	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	10.1	725 of 749	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	25.6	904 of 1134	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.5	1050 of 1397	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	20.5	1091 of 1372	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.9	1079 of 1366	21.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	17.0	1132 of 1347	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	10.1	1224 of 1334	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	25.9	857 of 1139	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	14.7	1062 of 1196	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.3	1170 of 1446	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	23.4	355 of 403	11.9%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	10.0	1135 of 1199	5.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	11.5	1121 of 1206	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.9	1109 of 1204	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.4	1173 of 1198	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	8.2	1067 of 1102	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	2.8	1001 of 1005	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.9	1103 of 1128	2.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.8	1188 of 1253	5.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)20th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)15th percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)13th percentile-7 vs school

Special Education (2018)12th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)5th percentile-14 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Science28%-12 vs state

English Language Arts19%-21 vs state

Math18%-19 vs state

Social Studies16%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				M-Step English Language Arts (2026)				M-Step Math (2026)				M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary	Public	K-6	8878 Prescott Rd	Whittemore	48770	Iosco County	Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 756-2502	347	22	15.6	83.0%	304 (87.6%)	9 (2.6%)	22 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.9%)	18.6	1203^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	19.4%		20.6	1146^th of 1488 public elementary schools	23.0%	57	11.9	9.3	29.4	27.0	23.7	9.3	15.7	21.6	27.5	15.7	$16,157	$2,251	$13,906
Sterling Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	338 W State St	Sterling	48659	Arenac County	Standish-Sterling Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 654-2367	168	12	14.2	60.1%	153 (91.1%)	2 (1.2%)	5 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.8%)								(n/a)											$16,292	$1,047	$15,245
Au GresSims Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	310 S Court St	Au Gres	48703	Arenac County	Au Gres-Sims School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 876-7157	167	11	15.1	62.9%	150 (89.8%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.8%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.8%)	70	412^th of 1492 public elementary schools	72.4%		63.6	515^th of 1488 public elementary schools	65.4%	103	1316.1	48.3	65.2		1321.2	51.7	43.5		52.2	26.1	$14,377	$1,728	$12,649
StandishSterling Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3789 Wyatt Rd	Standish	48658	Arenac County	Standish-Sterling Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 846-4526	654	31	20.8	59.0%	618 (94.5%)	3 (0.5%)	16 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.1%)	74.2	350^th of 1492 public elementary schools	76.5%		77.1	305^th of 1488 public elementary schools	79.5%	45	48.6	43.2	59.8	38.2	58.7	53.4	49.1	40.6	57.1	44.6	$13,183	$1,044	$12,139
Clara B Bolen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	211 S Plank Rd	Tawas City	48763	Iosco County	Tawas Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 984-2200	433	24	17.7	55.2%	395 (91.2%)	4 (0.9%)	11 (2.5%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.6%)	49.9	697^th of 1492 public elementary schools	53.3%		46.9	767^th of 1488 public elementary schools	48.5%	70	38.2	53.9			31.6	34.8					$13,349	$1,316	$12,032
Rose City School	Public	PK, KG-6	515 Harrington	Rose City	48661	Ogemaw County	West Branch-Rose City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 343-2250	103	9	11.1	82.5%	91 (88.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	5 (4.9%)	60.6	548^th of 1492 public elementary schools	63.3%		40.6	856^th of 1488 public elementary schools	42.5%	308	70.6	27.3	42.9		82.4	36.4	28.6		35.7	1477.5	$23,256	$2,688	$20,568
Surline Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	147 State St	West Branch	48661	Ogemaw County	West Branch-Rose City Area Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 343-2190	569	43	13.3	66.8%	525 (92.3%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.5%)	50.8	683^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	54.2%		41.2	842^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	43.4%	159	40.0	33.0			58.3	31.1					$14,383	$1,819	$12,564

Frequently Asked Questions about WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary

Is WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary a good school?

WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary ranks in the bottom 19.4% of Michigan elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary?

Students at WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary are 88% White, 6% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 3% African American.

How many students attend WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 347 students attended WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary.

What schools do graduates of WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary attend?

Students who attend WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : WhittemorePrescott JrSr High School

What district is WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary in?

Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.