Summary:
Zip code 49643, covering the Interlochen, Michigan area, is home to just one elementary school, Lake Ann Elementary School, which serves grades PK-5 with an enrollment of 180 students within the Benzie County Central Schools district.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Lake Ann is a clear standout within its district, consistently outperforming the Benzie County Central Schools averages across nearly every subject and grade level, often by double-digit margins. For example, in 5th grade ELA and Math, the school exceeds its district by roughly 15 points. The school also shines in 5th grade, where proficiency rates have historically been well above state averages, and it maintains a strong attendance record with a chronic absenteeism rate of 17.9%—about half the district's rate and well below the state's 27.9%. With a favorable 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $16,248, the school has solid resources to support its students.
However, the picture is not without concerns. The school's state ranking has slipped from the 62nd percentile to the 50th percentile over the past two years, and year-to-year test scores show significant volatility, likely due to small class sizes. The most pressing issue is 4th grade, where math proficiency plummeted to just 19.23% in the most recent year—a staggering 20 points below the state average—and ELA also lags. Social studies remains the weakest subject overall, though it recently improved to exceed the state average. Despite these challenges, Lake Ann's ability to outperform its 1-star district while serving a moderate-poverty population (50% free/reduced lunch) suggests effective teaching and leadership. For parents, this school offers a strong, supportive environment with notable bright spots, but they should be aware of the 4th grade struggles and score volatility when evaluating grade-level performance.
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