Ballard Elementary School

Summary:

Ballard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Niles, Michigan, serving 538 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Niles Community Schools district, which has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Ballard Elementary has a higher percentage of White students compared to the state average, it also serves a significant population of Hispanic and African American students. The school has seen a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 13.9% in 2018-2019 to 31.6% in 2022-2023, much higher than the state average. Academically, Ballard Elementary's performance, as measured by M-Step proficiency rates, is consistently lower than the Niles Community Schools district and the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 25%, compared to 35.6% for the district and 39.6% for the state. Additionally, Ballard Elementary has a high percentage of students (75.28% in 2022-2023) who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively low socioeconomic status of the student population.

When compared to other nearby schools in the Niles district, such as Eastside Connections School, Ballard Elementary generally performs worse academically. However, the school's Hispanic students perform relatively well compared to other subgroups, ranking in the top 78 out of 201 Michigan elementary schools in 2023-2024 for 3rd grade English Language Arts. Despite the school's academic challenges, Ballard Elementary has seen an increase in per-student spending, from $10,342 in 2019-2020 to $12,413 in 2022-2023, suggesting the district is investing resources to try to improve the school's performance.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1601 W Chicago Rd
       Niles, MI  49120-3168


(269) 683-5900

District: Niles Community Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1070th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,413 Help


Students who attend Ballard Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Ring Lardner Middle School
High:    Niles Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  21.0 Help
Number of students:  538

Racial breakdown:

White:
60.8%
Hispanic:
15.8%
Two or more races:
12.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  75.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ballard Elementary School ranks worse than 72% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks last among 3 ranked elementary schools in the Niles Community Schools District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.92. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Student population at Ballard Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (60.8%), Hispanic (15.8%), two or more races (12.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 75.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Niles Community Schools District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School is 21, which is the highest among 4 elementary schools in the Niles Community Schools District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Ballard Elementary School employs 25.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ballard Elementary School is $12,413. 2 elementary schools in the Niles Community Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Ballard Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Ballard Elementary School 1070th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Ballard Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Niles Community Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Niles Community Schools 239th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Ballard Elementary School?

Rank History for Ballard Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 50.10 969th 1545 37.3%
2007 58.83 771st 1565 50.7%
2008 63.95 667th 1577 57.7%
2009 64.46 675th 1589 57.5%
2010 67.06 625th 1552 59.7%
2011 59.05 806th 1552 48.1%
2012 45.76 937th 1566 40.2%
2013 37.85 1059th 1563 32.2%
2014 34.80 1093rd 1533 28.7%
2015 40.43 1000th 1580 36.7%
2016 30.78 1095th 1548 29.3%
2017 33.70 969th 1466 33.9%
2018 49.32 807th 1448 44.3%
2019 38.92 854th 1408 39.3%
2021 25.28 879th 1153 23.8%
2022 36.46 817th 1344 39.2%
2023 40.34 849th 1470 42.2%
2024 26.92 1070th 1486 28.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.31 49th 81 39.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.45 149th 403 63.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.08 564th 1397 59.6%
2019 44.14 641st 1134 43.5%
2021 25.36 622nd 749 17.0%
2022 42.48 614th 1099 44.1%
2023 43.26 748th 1350 44.6%
2024 36.43 874th 1381 36.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.12 841st 1443 41.7%
2019 35.00 794th 1171 32.2%
2021 22.40 748th 902 17.1%
2022 30.84 796th 1106 28.0%
2023 34.09 857th 1321 35.1%
2024 21.85 1062nd 1342 20.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 51.33 728th 1446 49.7%
2019 43.48 673rd 1196 43.7%
2021 18.91 783rd 915 14.4%
2022 31.56 785th 1139 31.1%
2023 39.75 782nd 1334 41.4%
2024 25.37 999th 1347 25.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.08 168th 475 64.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.53 44th 222 80.2%
2023 67.47 45th 188 76.1%
2024 48.25 78th 201 61.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Ballard Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.58 743rd 1253 40.7%
2019 44.16 640th 1128 43.3%
2021 27.46 763rd 1005 24.1%
2022 29.49 797th 1102 27.7%
2023 40.37 728th 1198 39.2%
2024 22.32 987th 1204 18.0%
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.

Ballard Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
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Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

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0%

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Ballard Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 614 66 7 10 7 n/a n/a 0 704
1989 611 64 7 16 18 n/a n/a 0 716
1990 640 72 3 15 19 n/a n/a 0 749
1991 635 79 3 15 15 n/a n/a 8 755
1992 617 96 3 18 8 n/a n/a 0 742
1993 605 91 6 18 5 n/a n/a 0 725
1994 623 96 9 18 2 n/a n/a 0 748
1995 636 100 6 22 1 n/a n/a 0 765
1996 636 100 6 22 1 n/a n/a 0 765
1997 654 107 8 17 2 n/a n/a 0 788
1998 661 113 8 26 0 n/a n/a 0 808
1999 600 122 5 20 3 n/a n/a 0 750
2000 629 114 5 25 3 n/a n/a 0 776
2001 608 127 5 34 0 n/a n/a 0 774
2002 521 110 4 29 2 n/a n/a 1 667
2003 521 110 4 29 2 n/a n/a 1 667
2004 514 102 4 26 2 n/a n/a 2 650
2005 530 112 6 40 5 n/a n/a 4 697
2006 480 113 10 75 2 n/a n/a 4 684
2007 483 111 7 76 2 n/a n/a 3 682
2008 461 97 7 60 3 n/a n/a 3 631
2009 488 104 6 66 1 n/a n/a 0 665
2010 475 87 6 75 5 n/a n/a 1 649
2011 571 95 7 94 3 3 37 0 810
2012 475 85 5 89 4 2 55 0 715
2013 448 76 4 111 3 2 59 0 703
2014 430 71 2 102 1 0 59 0 665
2015 405 81 3 101 1 0 67 0 658
2016 381 62 3 101 1 1 66 0 615
2017 358 55 6 100 3 1 66 0 589
2018 381 53 7 85 3 1 59 0 589
2019 365 58 7 84 5 1 67 0 587
2020 347 49 8 84 3 1 73 0 565
2021 341 57 9 92 2 0 70 0 571
2022 355 61 6 86 2 0 83 0 593
2023 327 52 3 85 5 0 66 0 538

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 Ballard Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 704 n/a n/a n/a
1989 716 n/a n/a 20.4
1990 749 45.0 16.6 27.5
1991 755 n/a n/a n/a
1992 742 n/a n/a 37.1
1993 725 n/a 0.0 39.2
1994 748 34.1 21.9 33.6
1995 765 37.0 20.7 32.3
1996 765 37.0 20.7 32.3
1997 788 38.0 20.7 35.9
1998 808 38.0 21.3 32.4
1999 750 40.0 18.8 32.1
2000 776 39.7 19.5 38.1
2001 774 40.8 19.0 42.9
2002 667 n/a n/a 42.9
2003 667 n/a n/a 42.9
2004 650 36.0 18.1 43.7
2005 697 36.5 19.1 50.4
2006 684 34.3 19.9 48.5
2007 682 35.6 19.2 24.9
2008 631 36.1 17.5 32.6
2009 665 32.5 20.5 53.8
2010 649 30.9 20.9 64.7
2011 810 38.9 20.7 54.2
2012 715 34.3 20.8 72.4
2013 703 32.3 21.7 74.5
2014 665 36.0 18.4 75.6
2015 658 34.0 19.3 73.6
2016 615 34.0 18.0 76.6
2017 589 28.9 20.3 67.1
2018 589 29.1 20.2 72.3
2019 587 30.7 19.1 71.2
2020 565 31.2 18.1 71.3
2021 571 30.6 18.6 70.9
2022 593 26.4 22.4 74.2
2023 538 25.5 21.0 75.3

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 Ballard Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 704 n/a n/a n/a
1989 716 n/a n/a 20.4
1990 749 45.0 16.6 27.5
1991 755 n/a n/a n/a
1992 742 n/a n/a 37.1
1993 725 n/a 0.0 39.2
1994 748 34.1 21.9 33.6
1995 765 37.0 20.7 32.3
1996 765 37.0 20.7 32.3
1997 788 38.0 20.7 35.9
1998 808 38.0 21.3 32.4
1999 750 40.0 18.8 32.1
2000 776 39.7 19.5 38.1
2001 774 40.8 19.0 42.9
2002 667 n/a n/a 42.9
2003 667 n/a n/a 42.9
2004 650 36.0 18.1 43.7
2005 697 36.5 19.1 50.4
2006 684 34.3 19.9 48.5
2007 682 35.6 19.2 24.9
2008 631 36.1 17.5 32.6
2009 665 32.5 20.5 53.8
2010 649 30.9 20.9 64.7
2011 810 38.9 20.7 54.2
2012 715 34.3 20.8 72.4
2013 703 32.3 21.7 74.5
2014 665 36.0 18.4 75.6
2015 658 34.0 19.3 73.6
2016 615 34.0 18.0 76.6
2017 589 28.9 20.3 67.1
2018 589 29.1 20.2 72.3
2019 587 30.7 19.1 71.2
2020 565 31.2 18.1 71.3
2021 571 30.6 18.6 70.9
2022 593 26.4 22.4 74.2
2023 538 25.5 21.0 75.3

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 Ballard Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,552 (14.6%) $9,049 (85.4%) $10,601
2020 $1,576 (15.2%) $8,766 (84.8%) $10,342
2021 $2,755 (24.3%) $8,571 (75.7%) $11,326
2022 $1,504 (13.5%) $9,601 (86.5%) $11,105
2023 $3,161 (25.5%) $9,252 (74.5%) $12,413

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Ballard 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 854th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 849th of 1470 Elementary schools
 2.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)33.324.7
 8.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Niles Community Schools)43.136.3
 6.8%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Ballard Elementary School)50.546.6
 3.9%
   3rd Grade Math (Niles Community Schools)56.451.7
 4.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)36.742.1
 5.4%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Niles Community Schools)39.345.5
 6.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Ballard Elementary School)55.635.5
 20.1%
   4th Grade Math (Niles Community Schools)55.945.5
 10.4%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)34.840.8
 6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Niles Community Schools)42.642.9
 0.3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Ballard Elementary School)37.932.4
 5.5%
   5th Grade Math (Niles Community Schools)40.437.3
 3.1%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Ballard Elementary School)6.811.3
 4.5%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Niles Community Schools)11.315.1
 3.8%
   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 Students587538
 8.3%
African American5852
 10.3%
American Indian55
Asian73
 57.1%
Hispanic8485
 1.2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White365327
 10.4%
Two or More Races6766
 1.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71.2%75.3%
 4.1%


Schools Near Ballard Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Ballard Elementary School

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

Middle : Ring Lardner Middle School
High : Niles Senior High School

Students at Ballard Elementary School are 61% White, 16% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 10% African American.

Ballard Elementary School ranks 1070th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 538 students attended Ballard Elementary 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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