Is Besser Elementary School a good school?

Besser Elementary School ranks 664 th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Besser Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 456 students attended Besser Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Besser Elementary School?

Students at Besser Elementary School are 91% White, 5% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

What schools do graduates of Besser Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Besser Elementary School usually go on to attend: Middle : Thunder Bay Junior High School High : Alpena High School

Besser Elementary School

Summary:

Besser Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Alpena, Michigan, serving 456 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Alpena Public Schools district, which is ranked 313 out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Besser Elementary stands out in several key areas. The school has a significantly higher percentage of white students (90.57%) compared to the state average (72.1%) and outperforms the district and state in several M-Step test areas, including 3rd grade English Language Arts, 4th grade English Language Arts, and 5th grade Science. However, the school has seen a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 6.7% in 2019-2020 to 19.5% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average. Besser Elementary also has a higher percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (54.82%) compared to the state average, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds.

Compared to nearby schools, Sanborn Elementary is the closest in academic performance to Besser, while Hinks Elementary and Lincoln Elementary lag behind. Besser Elementary also has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 17.6, which is lower than the state average and the nearby schools. While the school has a high percentage of white students, it has seen a slight increase in racial diversity over the past few years, with the percentage of students of color rising from 6.68% in 2020-2021 to 9.43% in 2022-2023.

Detail:

Public K-5

375 Wilson St
Alpena, MI 49707-1423

(989) 358-5100

District: Alpena Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
664^th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,905

Students who attend Besser Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Thunder Bay Junior High School
High:	Alpena High School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.6

Number of students: 456

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.6%

Two or more races:

4.8%

Hispanic:

3.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 54.8%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Besser Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Besser Elementary School ranks better than 55.3% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 3^rd among 6 ranked elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.1. (See more...)

Compare Details Besser Elementary School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2010 the calculated Average Standard Score was 85.71. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.6%), two or more races (4.8%), Hispanic (3.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 54.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Alpena Public Schools District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Besser Elementary School is 17.6, which is the 2^nd best among 6 elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools District. (See more...)

Compare Besser Elementary School employs 25.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Besser Elementary School is $11,905. 4 elementary schools in the Alpena Public Schools District spend more per student.

Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Besser Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Besser Elementary School 664^th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Besser Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Low Socio Economic Status students:

Female students:

Male students:

White students:

Alpena Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Alpena Public Schools 313^th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Besser Elementary School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at Besser Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2006	48.74	1002^nd	1545	35.1%
2007	66.81	545^th	1565	65.2%
2008	65.95	608^th	1577	61.4%
2009	65.98	636^th	1589	60.0%
2010	68.42	583^rd	1552	62.4%
2011	69.39	488^th	1552	68.6%
2012	56.45	700^th	1566	55.3%
2013	55.38	740^th	1563	52.7%
2014	50.38	831^st	1533	45.8%
2015	51.70	792^nd	1580	49.9%
2016	33.47	1057^th	1548	31.7%
2017	36.52	922^nd	1466	37.1%
2018	39.64	941^st	1448	35.0%
2019	32.94	944^th	1408	33.0%
2021	40.01	675^th	1153	41.5%
2022	36.04	824^th	1344	38.7%
2023	52.93	647^th	1470	56.0%
2024	53.10	664^th	1486	55.3%

See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Besser Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	28.30	1084^th	1397	22.4%
2019	25.86	898^th	1134	20.8%
2021	50.42	343^rd	749	54.2%
2022	37.02	699^th	1099	36.4%
2023	46.75	684^th	1350	49.3%
2024	55.49	540^th	1381	60.9%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Besser Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	42.34	872^nd	1443	39.6%
2019	33.33	805^th	1171	31.3%
2021	29.47	665^th	902	26.3%
2022	27.33	843^rd	1106	23.8%
2023	43.20	713^th	1321	46.0%
2024	35.26	845^th	1342	37.0%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Besser Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	36.72	960^th	1446	33.6%
2019	36.07	775^th	1196	35.2%
2021	45.42	473^rd	915	48.3%
2022	37.13	707^th	1139	37.9%
2023	55.00	561^st	1334	57.9%
2024	65.96	413^th	1347	69.3%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Besser Elementary School

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	MI State Percentile
2018	25.79	997^th	1253	20.4%
2019	19.91	961^st	1128	14.8%
2021	28.78	754^th	1005	25.0%
2022	21.68	905^th	1102	17.9%
2023	39.05	749^th	1198	37.5%
2024	38.00	753^rd	1204	37.5%

See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Besser Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	MI State Percentile
2006	57.85	427^th	806	47.0%
2007	56.67	468^th	823	43.1%
2008	88.84	20^th	839	97.6%
2009	61.53	418^th	847	50.6%
2010	85.71	29^th	851	96.6%

See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Besser Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	509	1	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	-3	512
1989	502	4	1	4	0	n/a	n/a	-6	505
1990	515	5	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	-8	516
1991	409	8	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	100	522
1992	477	8	3	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	494
1993	478	10	7	5	9	n/a	n/a	0	509
1994	480	8	4	4	6	n/a	n/a	0	502
1995	485	5	7	4	3	n/a	n/a	0	504
1996	485	5	7	4	3	n/a	n/a	0	504
1997	453	8	7	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	473
1998	470	6	6	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	488
1999	446	5	3	4	3	n/a	n/a	0	461
2000	459	5	3	2	3	n/a	n/a	0	472
2001	453	7	4	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	469
2002	444	5	3	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	457
2003	444	5	3	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	457
2004	492	2	3	1	2	n/a	n/a	0	500
2005	472	0	4	1	1	n/a	n/a	0	478
2006	440	3	5	1	3	n/a	n/a	0	452
2007	425	1	4	2	3	n/a	n/a	0	435
2008	449	1	3	4	2	n/a	n/a	2	461
2009	423	4	2	1	3	n/a	n/a	1	434
2010	426	1	4	0	2	n/a	n/a	9	442
2011	338	2	3	0	1	0	4	0	348
2012	333	1	2	0	3	0	4	0	343
2013	294	4	1	0	2	0	5	0	306
2014	329	0	2	2	1	0	2	0	336
2015	339	2	2	4	0	0	5	0	352
2016	397	2	5	9	1	0	11	0	425
2017	406	3	4	10	0	0	12	0	435
2018	405	2	4	14	0	0	14	0	439
2019	391	4	4	11	1	0	16	0	427
2020	395	3	3	13	2	1	12	0	429
2021	391	1	3	6	2	1	15	0	419
2022	394	1	2	13	2	1	16	0	429
2023	413	3	2	14	1	1	22	0	456

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Besser Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	512	n/a	n/a	n/a
1989	505	n/a	n/a	25.3
1990	516	32.0	16.1	27.7
1991	522	n/a	n/a	n/a
1992	494	n/a	n/a	38.7
1993	509	n/a	0.0	36.7
1994	502	24.9	20.2	32.5
1995	504	25.7	19.6	28.6
1996	504	25.7	19.6	28.6
1997	473	26.0	18.2	26.8
1998	488	26.0	18.8	28.5
1999	461	25.0	18.4	28.4
2000	472	24.3	19.4	35.2
2001	469	24.3	19.3	39
2002	457	23.5	19.4	37.4
2003	457	23.5	19.4	37.4
2004	500	26.5	18.9	38.8
2005	478	24.9	19.2	36.6
2006	452	25.0	18.1	42
2007	435	23.9	18.2	42.1
2008	461	23.3	19.8	39.2
2009	434	23.0	18.9	43.4
2010	442	22.9	19.2	48
2011	348	19.0	18.2	53.2
2012	343	17.7	19.3	51.3
2013	306	17.2	17.7	47.7
2014	336	16.6	20.1	47.9
2015	352	18.0	19.5	50
2016	425	21.0	20.2	52.2
2017	435	21.3	20.4	50.8
2018	439	21.9	19.9	52.2
2019	427	20.8	20.5	53.6
2020	429	23.1	18.5	56.4
2021	419	23.3	17.9	52.5
2022	429	23.6	18.1	52
2023	456	25.8	17.6	54.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Besser Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	512	n/a	n/a	n/a
1989	505	n/a	n/a	25.3
1990	516	32.0	16.1	27.7
1991	522	n/a	n/a	n/a
1992	494	n/a	n/a	38.7
1993	509	n/a	0.0	36.7
1994	502	24.9	20.2	32.5
1995	504	25.7	19.6	28.6
1996	504	25.7	19.6	28.6
1997	473	26.0	18.2	26.8
1998	488	26.0	18.8	28.5
1999	461	25.0	18.4	28.4
2000	472	24.3	19.4	35.2
2001	469	24.3	19.3	39
2002	457	23.5	19.4	37.4
2003	457	23.5	19.4	37.4
2004	500	26.5	18.9	38.8
2005	478	24.9	19.2	36.6
2006	452	25.0	18.1	42
2007	435	23.9	18.2	42.1
2008	461	23.3	19.8	39.2
2009	434	23.0	18.9	43.4
2010	442	22.9	19.2	48
2011	348	19.0	18.2	53.2
2012	343	17.7	19.3	51.3
2013	306	17.2	17.7	47.7
2014	336	16.6	20.1	47.9
2015	352	18.0	19.5	50
2016	425	21.0	20.2	52.2
2017	435	21.3	20.4	50.8
2018	439	21.9	19.9	52.2
2019	427	20.8	20.5	53.6
2020	429	23.1	18.5	56.4
2021	419	23.3	17.9	52.5
2022	429	23.6	18.1	52
2023	456	25.8	17.6	54.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Besser Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$848 (8.8%)	$8,753 (91.2%)	$9,601
2020	$701 (7.8%)	$8,309 (92.2%)	$9,011
2021	$1,536 (14.9%)	$8,784 (85.1%)	$10,320
2022	$1,603 (14.7%)	$9,315 (85.3%)	$10,919
2023	$1,570 (13.2%)	$10,334 (86.8%)	$11,905

Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Besser Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 944^th of 1408 Elementary schools	Ranks 647^th of 1470 Elementary schools	23%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Besser Elementary School)	34.7	64.9	30.2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)	39.3	43.6	4.3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	45.1	40.9	4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Besser Elementary School)	42.7	45.5	2.8%
3rd Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)	47.8	43.2	4.6%
3rd Grade Math (Michigan)	46.7	42.9	3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Besser Elementary School)	32.2	39.7	7.5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)	32.3	42.9	10.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	45.8	44.3	1.5%
4th Grade Math (Besser Elementary School)	18.6	31.5	12.9%
4th Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)	21.9	34.9	13%
4th Grade Math (Michigan)	41.8	38.6	3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Besser Elementary School)	53.4	43.9	9.5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)	41.2	32.9	8.3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)	46.2	43.9	2.3%
5th Grade Math (Besser Elementary School)	34.2	28.8	5.4%
5th Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)	22.6	25.4	2.8%
5th Grade Math (Michigan)	34.8	31.5	3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Besser Elementary School)	11	19.7	8.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Alpena Public Schools)	5.8	14.5	8.7%
5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)	17.4	18.6	1.2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	427	456	6.8%
African American	4	3	25%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	4	2	50%
Hispanic	11	14	27.3%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	391	413	5.6%
Two or More Races	16	22	37.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	53.6%	54.8%	1.2%

Schools Near Besser Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				M-Step English Language Arts (2024)				M-Step Math (2024)				M-Step Science (2024)	M-Step Social Studies (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	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
Besser Elementary School	Public	K-5	375 Wilson St	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5100	456	26	17.6	54.8%	413 (90.6%)	3 (0.7%)	14 (3.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.8%)	53.1	664^th of 1486 public elementary schools	55.3%		52.9	647^th of 1470 public elementary schools	56.0%	17	42.5	48.7	43.4		45.7	41.0	27.3		55.8	15.6	$11,905	$1,570	$10,334
Lincoln Elementary	Public	K-5	309 W Lake St	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5900	137	10	13.9	91.2%	128 (93.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.4%)	13.2	1280^th of 1486 public elementary schools	13.9%		10.5	1308^th of 1470 public elementary schools	11.0%	28	22.2	15.0	23.5		16.7	15.0			23.5		$15,273	$1,923	$13,350
Ella M White Elementary	Public	K-5	201 N Ripley Blvd	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5950	472	25	18.8	73.7%	429 (90.9%)	3 (0.6%)	14 (3.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.1%)	41.8	821^st of 1486 public elementary schools	44.8%		42.1	818^th of 1470 public elementary schools	44.4%	3	33.3	42.3	46.8		42.0	35.9	21.3		41.0	11.3	$11,783	$1,283	$10,500
Hinks Elementary	Public	K-5	7667 Us Highway 23 N	Alpena	49707	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5560	137	7	19.1	62.8%	127 (92.7%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (4.4%)	59.5	558^th of 1486 public elementary schools	62.4%		48.6	713^th of 1470 public elementary schools	51.5%	155	42.9	47.8	51.9		52.4	34.8	48.1		51.9	14.8	$15,656	$2,077	$13,579
Wilson Elementary	Public	K-5	4999 S Herron Rd	Herron	49744	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5700	260	12	22.5	65.8%	242 (93.1%)	1 (0.4%)	11 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.3%)	40.5	837^th of 1486 public elementary schools	43.7%		25.2	1072^nd of 1470 public elementary schools	27.1%	235	22.2	38.7	37.8		44.4	35.5	28.9		46.7	13.3	$12,166	$1,143	$11,024
Sanborn Elementary	Public	K-5	12170 Us Highway 23 S	Ossineke	49766	Alpena County	Alpena Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 358-5800	195	11	17.6	66.7%	172 (88.2%)	3 (1.5%)	13 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.6%)	65.7	475^th of 1486 public elementary schools	68.0%		70.6	383^rd of 1470 public elementary schools	73.9%	92	36.4	50.0	51.6		52.9	56.3	38.7		64.5	22.6	$13,384	$1,288	$12,096
Posen Elementary School	Public	K-6	10575 Michigan Ave	Posen	49776	Presque Isle County	Posen Consolidated School District No. 9	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 248-6500	112	6	18.1	57.1%	106 (94.6%)	3 (2.7%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.8%)	52.3	676^th of 1486 public elementary schools	54.5%		47.2	731^st of 1470 public elementary schools	50.3%	55	41.2	46.7	23.1	35.7	41.2	53.3	38.5	35.7	38.5		$12,641	$1,519	$11,122

Besser Elementary School

Besser Elementary School:

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:

Alpena Public Schools:

Average Rating:

What do you think?

Rank History for Besser Elementary School

Rank History for all elementary school students at Besser Elementary School

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Besser Elementary School

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Besser Elementary School

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Besser Elementary School

Rank History for elementary school White students at Besser Elementary School

Rank History for Besser Elementary School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Besser Elementary School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Besser Elementary School

Student/Teacher Ratio Besser Elementary School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Besser Elementary School

Impact of COVID-19 on Besser Elementary School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Besser Elementary School