Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 49310

Zip code 49310, serving the Blanchard, MI area, is home to just one elementary school, Montabella Elementary, which enrolls 389 students in grades Pre-K through 5th and is part of the Montabella Community Schools district.

For parents considering this area, Montabella Elementary is the only option, so its performance defines the entire community's educational landscape. The school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.4 and spends a relatively high $15,764 per student, which suggests smaller class sizes and solid resource allocation. A positive highlight is its chronic absenteeism rate of 20.1%, which is notably better than the state average of 27.9%, meaning students are consistently showing up to class. However, the school faces significant academic hurdles. Proficiency rates in most subjects and grade levels lag behind state averages, with the most dramatic gaps appearing in 4th grade. Only 19.7% of 4th graders were proficient in ELA (compared to 41.3% statewide) and just 16.9% were proficient in Math (versus 39.4% statewide). Social Studies in 5th grade is also a weak point, with only 13.5% proficient versus the state's 27.5%.

There are some encouraging signs to note. The school outperforms the state in 3rd-grade Math, with 45.5% proficiency compared to 42.9% statewide, indicating that early math instruction is a strength. Yet this success does not carry forward, as scores drop sharply by 4th grade and remain below average in 5th grade. Year-over-year data also shows volatility, such as 5th-grade Math proficiency falling from 37.1% to 24.5% in one year, suggesting that performance can vary significantly with each cohort. With 68.12% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, which provides important context for interpreting these results. Overall, Montabella Elementary offers a stable attendance environment and strong early math foundations, but parents should be aware of the pronounced 4th-grade slump and the need for targeted support in upper elementary grades.