Alto Elementary School

Summary:

Alto Elementary School is a high-performing public elementary school serving 407 students in grades PK-5 in the Lowell Area Schools district in Alto, Michigan. The school has consistently been ranked among the top elementary schools in the state, with a current statewide ranking of 191 out of 1,486 Michigan elementary schools and a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Alto Elementary's academic performance is exceptional, with students consistently outperforming state and district averages on M-STEP assessments across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, 60.6% of 3rd graders, 88.7% of 4th graders, and 70.4% of 5th graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state averages of 39.6%, 43.3%, and 44%, respectively. In math, 75.8% of 3rd graders, 86.9% of 4th graders, and 47.9% of 5th graders were proficient or better, compared to the state averages of 43.4%, 39.1%, and 32.6%. Additionally, Alto Elementary has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (7.0% in 2022-2023) compared to the state average and nearby schools in the Lowell Area Schools district.

However, Alto Elementary's student population is relatively homogeneous, with 91.89% of students identifying as White in the 2022-2023 school year, which is higher than the state average and the nearby schools in the Lowell Area Schools district. The school also has a lower percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (24.57% in 2022-2023) compared to the state average and the nearby schools, suggesting a more affluent student population. These factors may contribute to the school's strong academic performance, but they also raise questions about the school's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 6150 Bancroft Ave SE
       Alto, MI  49302-9311


(616) 987-2600

District: Lowell Area Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
191st of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,499 Help


Students who attend Alto Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Lowell Middle School
High:    Lowell Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  17.4 Help
Number of students:  404

Racial breakdown:

White:
90.6%
Hispanic:
5.2%
Two or more races:
3.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  23.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Alto Elementary School ranks better than 87.1% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Lowell Area Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 84.5. (See more...)
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (90.6%), Hispanic (5.2%), two or more races (3.5%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 23.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Alto Elementary School is 17.4, which is the 2nd best among 3 elementary schools in the Lowell Area Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Alto Elementary School employs 23.1 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Alto Elementary School is $12,499. 2 elementary schools in the Lowell Area Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Alto Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Alto Elementary School 191st of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Alto 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:


Lowell Area Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Lowell Area Schools 36th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Alto Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Alto Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 83.32 100th 1545 93.5%
2007 81.97 151st 1565 90.4%
2008 83.84 96th 1577 93.9%
2009 81.23 170th 1589 89.3%
2010 81.90 92nd 1552 94.1%
2011 83.45 78th 1552 95.0%
2012 89.97 85th 1566 94.6%
2013 88.24 112th 1563 92.8%
2014 89.30 85th 1533 94.5%
2015 89.56 103rd 1580 93.5%
2016 91.53 82nd 1548 94.7%
2017 90.72 69th 1466 95.3%
2018 94.61 44th 1448 97.0%
2019 91.90 71st 1408 95.0%
2021 82.71 153rd 1153 86.7%
2022 88.58 116th 1344 91.4%
2023 91.31 91st 1470 93.8%
2024 84.50 191st 1486 87.1%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Alto Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.97 18th 1397 98.7%
2019 94.64 15th 1134 98.7%
2021 83.03 51st 749 93.2%
2022 84.86 62nd 1099 94.4%
2023 89.62 55th 1350 95.9%
2024 72.86 265th 1381 80.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Alto Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.97 35th 1443 97.6%
2019 84.93 108th 1171 90.8%
2021 79.37 126th 902 86.0%
2022 86.68 99th 1106 91.0%
2023 89.03 86th 1321 93.5%
2024 72.29 282nd 1342 79.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Alto Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 92.00 68th 1446 95.3%
2019 93.15 40th 1196 96.7%
2021 82.59 103rd 915 88.7%
2022 83.86 135th 1139 88.1%
2023 89.26 86th 1334 93.6%
2024 87.66 116th 1347 91.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Alto Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.47 36th 1253 97.1%
2019 90.60 61st 1128 94.6%
2021 80.70 141st 1005 86.0%
2022 83.56 131st 1102 88.1%
2023 87.70 101st 1198 91.6%
2024 80.83 190th 1204 84.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

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

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Alto 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 Alto Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 434 5 4 8 2 n/a n/a 0 453
1989 485 3 3 8 0 n/a n/a 0 499
1990 514 3 3 9 3 n/a n/a 0 532
1991 491 3 4 8 1 n/a n/a 0 507
1992 493 1 5 13 70 n/a n/a 0 582
1993 498 2 4 11 0 n/a n/a 0 515
1994 490 2 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 500
1995 391 2 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 401
1996 391 2 1 7 0 n/a n/a 0 401
1997 385 1 1 8 0 n/a n/a 0 395
1998 399 1 2 8 0 n/a n/a 0 410
1999 407 1 0 8 0 n/a n/a 0 416
2000 412 2 1 15 0 n/a n/a 0 430
2001 387 1 0 10 0 n/a n/a 0 398
2002 385 4 0 6 1 n/a n/a 0 396
2003 385 4 0 6 1 n/a n/a 0 396
2004 383 1 0 5 1 n/a n/a 0 390
2005 371 4 3 1 1 n/a n/a 0 380
2006 374 6 7 5 1 n/a n/a 0 393
2007 388 6 7 6 1 n/a n/a 0 408
2008 403 4 7 2 7 n/a n/a 0 423
2009 432 3 8 6 5 n/a n/a 0 454
2010 425 8 5 8 2 n/a n/a 0 448
2011 435 6 2 8 1 3 0 0 455
2012 428 4 3 18 0 0 7 0 460
2013 438 6 2 17 1 1 6 0 471
2014 434 5 2 16 0 1 10 0 468
2015 453 7 5 25 0 1 9 0 500
2016 455 3 6 27 0 2 7 0 500
2017 451 4 5 24 0 2 6 0 492
2018 461 8 6 28 1 0 1 0 505
2019 448 4 3 26 0 0 1 0 482
2020 440 5 3 27 0 0 2 0 477
2021 410 1 3 20 0 0 3 0 437
2022 385 1 1 17 0 0 4 0 408
2023 374 0 1 23 1 0 8 0 407
2024 366 0 2 21 1 0 14 0 404

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 Alto Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 453 n/a n/a n/a
1989 499 n/a n/a 7.6
1990 532 27.0 19.7 9.2
1991 507 n/a n/a n/a
1992 582 n/a n/a 9.3
1993 515 n/a 0.0 15.1
1994 500 20.0 25.0 7.4
1995 401 20.2 19.9 8.2
1996 401 20.2 19.9 8.2
1997 395 21.0 18.8 8.1
1998 410 21.0 19.5 11
1999 416 21.0 19.8 9.6
2000 430 22.0 19.5 14
2001 398 21.5 18.5 17.6
2002 396 21.2 18.7 20.2
2003 396 21.2 18.7 20.2
2004 390 21.6 18.1 16.2
2005 380 21.5 17.7 18.4
2006 393 20.5 19.2 21.9
2007 408 22.2 18.4 26
2008 423 22.2 19.1 19.6
2009 454 23.1 19.7 24.7
2010 448 23.5 19.0 27.2
2011 455 20.6 22.0 24.4
2012 460 20.6 22.3 30
2013 471 24.5 19.1 27.6
2014 468 24.5 19.0 25
2015 500 24.0 20.8 26.6
2016 500 24.0 20.8 26.8
2017 492 24.7 19.9 28.3
2018 505 24.5 20.6 30.7
2019 482 25.4 18.9 30.1
2020 477 24.9 19.1 23.7
2021 437 22.0 19.8 23.1
2022 408 23.3 17.5 22.5
2023 407 24.3 16.7 24.6
2024 404 23.1 17.4 23.3

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 Alto Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 453 n/a n/a n/a
1989 499 n/a n/a 7.6
1990 532 27.0 19.7 9.2
1991 507 n/a n/a n/a
1992 582 n/a n/a 9.3
1993 515 n/a 0.0 15.1
1994 500 20.0 25.0 7.4
1995 401 20.2 19.9 8.2
1996 401 20.2 19.9 8.2
1997 395 21.0 18.8 8.1
1998 410 21.0 19.5 11
1999 416 21.0 19.8 9.6
2000 430 22.0 19.5 14
2001 398 21.5 18.5 17.6
2002 396 21.2 18.7 20.2
2003 396 21.2 18.7 20.2
2004 390 21.6 18.1 16.2
2005 380 21.5 17.7 18.4
2006 393 20.5 19.2 21.9
2007 408 22.2 18.4 26
2008 423 22.2 19.1 19.6
2009 454 23.1 19.7 24.7
2010 448 23.5 19.0 27.2
2011 455 20.6 22.0 24.4
2012 460 20.6 22.3 30
2013 471 24.5 19.1 27.6
2014 468 24.5 19.0 25
2015 500 24.0 20.8 26.6
2016 500 24.0 20.8 26.8
2017 492 24.7 19.9 28.3
2018 505 24.5 20.6 30.7
2019 482 25.4 18.9 30.1
2020 477 24.9 19.1 23.7
2021 437 22.0 19.8 23.1
2022 408 23.3 17.5 22.5
2023 407 24.3 16.7 24.6
2024 404 23.1 17.4 23.3

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 Alto Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $481 (5.2%) $8,852 (94.8%) $9,334
2020 $456 (4.4%) $9,984 (95.6%) $10,441
2021 $1,311 (12.4%) $9,287 (87.6%) $10,598
2022 $884 (7.4%) $11,006 (92.6%) $11,889
2023 $1,115 (8.9%) $11,384 (91.1%) $12,499

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Alto 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 71st of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 91st of 1470 Elementary schools
 1.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alto Elementary School)78.984.7
 5.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Area Schools)69.963.8
 6.1%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Alto Elementary School)76.384.7
 8.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Lowell Area Schools)69.965.4
 4.5%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alto Elementary School)82.575.7
 6.8%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Area Schools)66.971.5
 4.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Alto Elementary School)76.372.9
 3.4%
   4th Grade Math (Lowell Area Schools)61.667.2
 5.6%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alto Elementary School)75.775.4
 0.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Lowell Area Schools)68.573.4
 4.9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Alto Elementary School)70.362.3
 8%
   5th Grade Math (Lowell Area Schools)54.754
 0.7%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Alto Elementary School)28.429
 0.6%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Lowell Area Schools)28.639.7
 11.1%
   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 Students482407
 15.6%
African American40
 100%
American Indian01
Asian31
 66.7%
Hispanic2623
 11.5%
Pacific Islander00
White448374
 16.5%
Two or More Races18
 700%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients30.1%24.6%
 5.5%


Schools Near Alto Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Alto Elementary School

Alto Elementary School ranks 191st of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Alto Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lowell Middle School
High : Lowell Senior High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 404 students attended Alto Elementary School.

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


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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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