South Meadows Elementary School

Summary:

South Meadows Elementary School is a public elementary school in Chelsea, Michigan, serving 471 students in grades 3-5. The school is part of the Chelsea School District, which is ranked 24th out of 610 districts in the state and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

South Meadows Elementary consistently outperforms the state average in M-Step test scores, with 62.9% of 5th-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts compared to the state average of 44%, and 71.6% proficient or better in math compared to 32.6% statewide. The school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with 91.51% of students identifying as White, and a low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch at 13.59%. However, the school's performance for special education students and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds is not as strong, with rankings in the middle of the state.

Compared to nearby schools like Navigator Upper Elementary and Lakewood Elementary, South Meadows outperforms in academic achievement, with higher M-Step scores across all grade levels and subject areas. The school's strong performance, low percentage of economically disadvantaged students, and relatively homogeneous student population set it apart. However, the school's fluctuating chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 5.3% to 25.0% in recent years, is an area that warrants further attention and improvement.


Detail:

Public 3-5

 335 Pierce St
       Chelsea, MI  48118-1234


(734) 433-2205

District: Chelsea School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
204th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,471 Help


Students who attend South Meadows Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Beach Middle School
High:    Chelsea High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.3 Help
Number of students:  471

Racial breakdown:

White:
91.5%
Two or more races:
3.4%
Hispanic:
2.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  13.6% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details South Meadows Elementary School ranks better than 86.3% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.11. (See more...)
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Compare Details South Meadows Elementary School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2010 the calculated Average Standard Score was 80.74. (See more...)
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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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (91.5%), two or more races (3.4%), Hispanic (2.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 13.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Meadows Elementary School is 15.3. (See more...)
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Compare South Meadows Elementary School employs 30.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Meadows Elementary School is $17,471.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Meadows Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Meadows Elementary School 204th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See South Meadows Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Chelsea School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Chelsea School District 24th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for South Meadows Elementary School

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Rank History for all elementary school students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 77.13 240th 1545 84.5%
2007 81.07 172nd 1565 89.0%
2008 75.03 340th 1577 78.4%
2009 76.93 299th 1589 81.2%
2010 77.95 216th 1552 86.1%
2011 65.82 598th 1552 61.5%
2012 79.90 259th 1566 83.5%
2013 86.06 144th 1563 90.8%
2014 84.31 161st 1533 89.5%
2015 82.52 220th 1580 86.1%
2016 86.06 148th 1548 90.4%
2017 81.82 191st 1466 87.0%
2018 86.66 154th 1448 89.4%
2019 76.74 281st 1408 80.0%
2021 55.39 447th 1153 61.2%
2022 78.72 234th 1344 82.6%
2023 84.98 179th 1470 87.8%
2024 84.11 204th 1486 86.3%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Multi-racial students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2022 62.97 4th 10 60.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.10 50th 403 87.6%
2023 50.48 84th 195 56.9%
2024 56.83 79th 225 64.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.65 355th 1397 74.6%
2019 53.23 484th 1134 57.3%
2021 68.96 168th 749 77.6%
2022 79.17 119th 1099 89.2%
2023 67.95 314th 1350 76.7%
2024 68.19 323rd 1381 76.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 86.61 133rd 1443 90.8%
2019 73.56 234th 1171 80.0%
2021 47.30 443rd 902 50.9%
2022 70.80 253rd 1106 77.1%
2023 76.70 233rd 1321 82.4%
2024 81.29 192nd 1342 85.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 82.78 211th 1446 85.4%
2019 71.69 288th 1196 75.9%
2021 49.36 429th 915 53.1%
2022 76.44 222nd 1139 80.5%
2023 86.35 124th 1334 90.7%
2024 80.81 201st 1347 85.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school Hispanic students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.75 5th 222 97.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at South Meadows Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 78.54 217th 1253 82.7%
2019 67.36 323rd 1128 71.4%
2021 49.11 480th 1005 52.2%
2022 70.66 282nd 1102 74.4%
2023 80.05 198th 1198 83.5%
2024 76.22 243rd 1204 79.8%
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 South Meadows Elementary School

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Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 78.86 132nd 806 83.6%
2007 86.29 35th 823 95.7%
2008 77.16 161st 839 80.8%
2009 76.75 162nd 847 80.9%
2010 80.74 100th 851 88.2%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

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

South Meadows Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South Meadows Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 515 2 8 6 2 n/a n/a 0 533
1989 526 7 7 3 1 n/a n/a 0 544
1990 535 9 5 4 1 n/a n/a 0 554
1991 563 4 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 570
1992 609 3 2 3 2 n/a n/a 0 619
1993 602 4 4 3 1 n/a n/a 0 614
1994 603 2 3 3 0 n/a n/a 0 611
1995 642 0 7 7 0 n/a n/a 0 656
1996 642 0 7 7 0 n/a n/a 0 656
1997 636 0 5 5 1 n/a n/a 0 647
1998 362 1 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 369
1999 370 0 3 8 0 n/a n/a 0 381
2000 370 3 4 7 1 n/a n/a 0 385
2001 385 0 5 6 0 n/a n/a 0 396
2002 360 3 3 6 4 n/a n/a 0 376
2003 360 3 3 6 4 n/a n/a 0 376
2004 411 3 7 6 2 n/a n/a 0 429
2005 400 2 10 6 1 n/a n/a 0 419
2006 395 1 11 7 3 n/a n/a 0 417
2007 371 3 8 4 6 n/a n/a 0 392
2008 345 4 4 4 4 n/a n/a 0 361
2009 377 3 1 6 3 n/a n/a 0 390
2010 361 4 8 8 2 n/a n/a 0 383
2011 514 0 11 14 2 2 5 0 548
2012 477 0 4 20 1 1 22 0 525
2013 463 0 1 23 1 0 23 0 511
2014 455 1 7 21 1 0 19 0 504
2015 473 4 7 25 0 0 22 0 531
2016 477 2 6 26 0 0 24 0 535
2017 482 2 3 24 0 0 24 0 535
2018 467 5 1 27 0 0 27 0 527
2019 452 6 1 27 0 0 21 0 507
2020 450 5 3 31 1 0 21 0 511
2021 405 2 6 15 0 0 20 0 448
2022 445 3 7 11 0 0 24 0 490
2023 431 5 7 12 0 0 16 0 471

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 South Meadows Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 533 n/a n/a n/a
1989 544 n/a n/a 3.5
1990 554 36.0 15.3 3.8
1991 570 n/a n/a n/a
1992 619 n/a n/a n/a
1993 614 n/a 0.0 6.8
1994 611 25.0 24.4 4.7
1995 656 29.1 22.5 4.3
1996 656 29.1 22.5 4.3
1997 647 27.0 24.0 4.9
1998 369 17.0 21.7 4.1
1999 381 18.0 21.2 3.7
2000 385 17.5 22.0 7.3
2001 396 18.0 22.0 7.1
2002 376 22.3 16.9 10.1
2003 376 22.3 16.9 10.1
2004 429 21.6 19.9 6.8
2005 419 25.4 16.5 7.4
2006 417 25.6 16.3 8.4
2007 392 29.1 13.5 7.9
2008 361 22.3 16.2 8.6
2009 390 21.6 18.1 9.5
2010 383 21.9 17.4 13.3
2011 548 29.1 18.8 14.1
2012 525 30.3 17.3 12
2013 511 26.0 19.6 11.9
2014 504 29.1 17.2 13.1
2015 531 29.0 18.3 10.5
2016 535 30.0 17.8 11.4
2017 535 31.1 17.2 9.5
2018 527 29.1 18.1 13.1
2019 507 28.7 17.6 12.6
2020 511 28.7 17.7 12.7
2021 448 29.6 15.0 13.2
2022 490 34.3 14.2 14.1
2023 471 30.6 15.3 13.6

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 South Meadows Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 533 n/a n/a n/a
1989 544 n/a n/a 3.5
1990 554 36.0 15.3 3.8
1991 570 n/a n/a n/a
1992 619 n/a n/a n/a
1993 614 n/a 0.0 6.8
1994 611 25.0 24.4 4.7
1995 656 29.1 22.5 4.3
1996 656 29.1 22.5 4.3
1997 647 27.0 24.0 4.9
1998 369 17.0 21.7 4.1
1999 381 18.0 21.2 3.7
2000 385 17.5 22.0 7.3
2001 396 18.0 22.0 7.1
2002 376 22.3 16.9 10.1
2003 376 22.3 16.9 10.1
2004 429 21.6 19.9 6.8
2005 419 25.4 16.5 7.4
2006 417 25.6 16.3 8.4
2007 392 29.1 13.5 7.9
2008 361 22.3 16.2 8.6
2009 390 21.6 18.1 9.5
2010 383 21.9 17.4 13.3
2011 548 29.1 18.8 14.1
2012 525 30.3 17.3 12
2013 511 26.0 19.6 11.9
2014 504 29.1 17.2 13.1
2015 531 29.0 18.3 10.5
2016 535 30.0 17.8 11.4
2017 535 31.1 17.2 9.5
2018 527 29.1 18.1 13.1
2019 507 28.7 17.6 12.6
2020 511 28.7 17.7 12.7
2021 448 29.6 15.0 13.2
2022 490 34.3 14.2 14.1
2023 471 30.6 15.3 13.6

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 South Meadows Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $336 (3.0%) $11,022 (97.0%) $11,359
2020 $272 (2.3%) $11,756 (97.7%) $12,028
2021 $925 (6.5%) $13,324 (93.5%) $14,249
2022 $1,322 (8.7%) $13,956 (91.3%) $15,278
2023 $861 (4.9%) $16,610 (95.1%) $17,471

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on South Meadows 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 281st of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 179th of 1470 Elementary schools
 7.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (South Meadows Elementary School)52.955.7
 2.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Chelsea School District)52.955.7
 2.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (South Meadows Elementary School)65.458.4
 7%
   3rd Grade Math (Chelsea School District)65.458.4
 7%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (South Meadows Elementary School)58.866.9
 8.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Chelsea School District)58.866.9
 8.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (South Meadows Elementary School)66.167.5
 1.4%
   4th Grade Math (Chelsea School District)66.167.5
 1.4%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (South Meadows Elementary School)64.469.4
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Chelsea School District)64.469.4
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (South Meadows Elementary School)66.758.6
 8.1%
   5th Grade Math (Chelsea School District)66.758.6
 8.1%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (South Meadows Elementary School)22.227.6
 5.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Chelsea School District)22.227.6
 5.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students507471
 7.1%
African American65
 16.7%
American Indian00
Asian17
 600%
Hispanic2712
 55.6%
Pacific Islander00
White452431
 4.6%
Two or More Races2116
 23.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients12.6%13.6%
 1%


Schools Near South Meadows Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about South Meadows Elementary School

South Meadows Elementary School ranks 204th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at South Meadows Elementary School are 92% White, 3% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic, 1% Asian, 1% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 471 students attended South Meadows Elementary School.

Students who attend South Meadows Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Beach Middle School
High : Chelsea High School


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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.





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