Brownell Middle School

Summary:

Brownell Middle School is a public middle school located in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, serving grades 5-8 with a student population of 577. The school is part of the Grosse Pointe Public Schools district, which is ranked 40th out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Brownell Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in Michigan, with students performing significantly better than the state and district averages on M-Step and PSAT assessments across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, 65.4% of 7th-grade students at Brownell were proficient or better in M-Step English Language Arts, compared to 62.4% for the Grosse Pointe Public Schools district and 37.9% for the state of Michigan. However, the school has a predominantly white student population, with 83.19% of students identifying as white in the 2022-2023 school year, which is less diverse compared to nearby schools like Parcells Middle School (57.61% white) and Eastpointe Middle School (9.48% white).

Brownell Middle School also has a relatively low percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, with 14.9% in the 2022-2023 school year, significantly lower than some nearby schools like Eastpointe Middle School (85.34%) and Detroit Lions Academy (92.68%), which serve more economically disadvantaged populations. Additionally, the school has experienced fluctuations in chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 11.6% in 2018-2019 to 23.9% in 2021-2022, which is an area that the school may need to address.


Detail:

Public 5-8

 260 Chalfonte Ave
       Grosse Pointe Farms, MI  48236-3350


(313) 432-3900

District: Grosse Pointe Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
32nd of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $19,791 Help


Students who attend Brownell Middle School usually attend:

High:    Grosse Pointe South High School

Feeder schools for Brownell Middle School:

Elementary:    Kerby Elementary School
    Richard Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.8 Help
Number of students:  586

Racial breakdown:

White:
81.6%
African American:
7.8%
Two or more races:
4.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  14.5% Help


 See top rated Michigan middle schools

 Compare Brownell Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Brownell Middle School ranks better than 96.4% of middle schools in Michigan. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked middle schools in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 94.56. (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 (81.6%), African American (7.8%), two or more races (4.3%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 14.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Brownell Middle School is 16.8. 1 middle schools in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Brownell Middle School employs 34.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Brownell Middle School is $19,791, which is the highest among 3 middle schools in the Grosse Pointe Public Schools District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Brownell Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Brownell Middle School 32nd of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Brownell Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Grosse Pointe Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Grosse Pointe Public Schools 40th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Brownell Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 91.15 8th 806 99.0%
2007 89.85 14th 823 98.3%
2008 89.76 12th 839 98.6%
2009 86.43 42nd 847 95.0%
2010 86.46 21st 851 97.5%
2011 90.11 8th 858 99.1%
2012 97.36 7th 900 99.2%
2013 96.14 16th 919 98.3%
2014 93.48 29th 921 96.9%
2015 93.13 44th 919 95.2%
2016 98.07 8th 894 99.1%
2017 98.82 6th 821 99.3%
2018 96.02 26th 838 96.9%
2019 91.54 57th 792 92.8%
2021 92.51 41st 675 93.9%
2022 94.67 29th 776 96.3%
2023 93.38 43rd 883 95.1%
2024 94.56 32nd 897 96.4%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 88.69 9th 199 95.5%
2024 77.33 22nd 201 89.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 96.08 8th 815 99.0%
2023 87.52 43rd 825 94.8%
2024 87.23 46th 836 94.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.09 21st 794 97.4%
2019 91.37 43rd 658 93.5%
2021 92.27 33rd 521 93.7%
2022 94.08 23rd 657 96.5%
2023 93.08 34th 770 95.6%
2024 93.21 41st 771 94.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.11 35th 797 95.6%
2019 87.87 65th 639 89.8%
2021 89.04 38th 540 93.0%
2022 92.59 43rd 658 93.5%
2023 90.91 57th 776 92.7%
2024 92.90 37th 786 95.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 94.08 11th 310 96.5%
2024 81.36 22nd 300 92.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 95.03 6th 266 97.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Brownell Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 94.40 25th 678 96.3%
2019 88.93 55th 624 91.2%
2021 92.19 33rd 577 94.3%
2022 92.43 33rd 638 94.8%
2023 89.50 53rd 688 92.3%
2024 92.65 33rd 701 95.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle 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.

Brownell Middle School Test Scores
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Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
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District Scores:
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Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

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Enrollment information for Brownell Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 421 10 3 6 0 n/a n/a 0 440
1989 382 1 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 392
1990 371 2 6 2 0 n/a n/a 0 381
1991 382 4 7 2 0 n/a n/a 17 412
1992 425 6 8 1 0 n/a n/a 0 440
1993 478 7 11 0 0 n/a n/a 0 496
1994 473 3 10 1 1 n/a n/a 0 488
1995 476 6 12 2 0 n/a n/a 0 496
1996 476 6 12 2 0 n/a n/a 0 496
1997 492 7 9 2 0 n/a n/a 0 510
1998 544 7 11 1 0 n/a n/a 0 563
1999 584 4 9 2 1 n/a n/a 0 600
2000 618 9 11 2 1 n/a n/a 0 641
2001 596 11 9 3 0 n/a n/a 0 619
2002 665 16 10 0 0 n/a n/a 0 691
2003 665 16 10 0 0 n/a n/a 0 691
2004 699 28 9 3 0 n/a n/a 0 739
2005 659 29 7 3 0 n/a n/a 0 698
2006 675 35 5 3 1 n/a n/a 0 719
2007 642 27 8 5 1 n/a n/a 0 683
2008 641 23 7 4 n/a n/a n/a 1 676
2009 611 33 10 6 0 n/a n/a 4 664
2010 599 32 11 6 0 n/a n/a 0 648
2011 583 28 14 9 0 0 5 0 639
2012 596 31 16 9 0 0 6 0 658
2013 615 33 18 9 1 0 5 0 681
2014 630 45 16 17 1 0 13 0 722
2015 592 41 16 20 2 0 19 0 690
2016 574 41 8 22 0 0 26 0 671
2017 526 30 6 28 0 0 24 0 614
2018 518 32 5 31 2 0 27 0 615
2019 461 31 6 28 3 0 17 0 546
2020 440 35 6 21 4 0 16 0 522
2021 503 51 12 23 2 0 16 0 607
2022 491 50 9 21 2 0 20 0 593
2023 480 45 11 19 3 1 18 0 577
2024 478 46 14 21 1 1 25 0 586

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 Brownell Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 440 n/a n/a n/a
1989 392 n/a n/a 2.3
1990 381 44.0 8.6 2.9
1991 412 n/a n/a n/a
1992 440 n/a n/a 2.7
1993 496 n/a 0.0 2.4
1994 488 5.3 92.1 1.6
1995 496 37.2 13.3 2.2
1996 496 37.2 13.3 2.2
1997 510 29.0 17.6 1.6
1998 563 39.0 14.4 1.6
1999 600 44.0 13.6 1.5
2000 641 43.0 14.9 1.2
2001 619 42.7 14.5 2.4
2002 691 47.2 14.6 1.4
2003 691 47.2 14.6 1.4
2004 739 52.6 14.0 1.8
2005 698 47.9 14.6 2
2006 719 49.4 14.6 1.9
2007 683 40.7 16.8 1.5
2008 676 37.1 18.2 3.1
2009 664 38.0 17.5 3.3
2010 648 36.5 17.7 3.4
2011 639 35.9 17.7 4.5
2012 658 37.4 17.5 7.1
2013 681 36.2 18.8 3.8
2014 722 37.3 19.3 4.7
2015 690 38.0 18.1 4.1
2016 671 39.0 17.2 3.3
2017 614 35.0 17.5 4.1
2018 615 31.1 19.7 6.7
2019 546 32.7 16.6 7.3
2020 522 26.3 19.7 9.2
2021 607 29.9 20.2 10
2022 593 34.1 17.3 12.6
2023 577 36.9 15.6 14.9
2024 586 34.7 16.8 14.5

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 Brownell Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 440 n/a n/a n/a
1989 392 n/a n/a 2.3
1990 381 44.0 8.6 2.9
1991 412 n/a n/a n/a
1992 440 n/a n/a 2.7
1993 496 n/a 0.0 2.4
1994 488 5.3 92.1 1.6
1995 496 37.2 13.3 2.2
1996 496 37.2 13.3 2.2
1997 510 29.0 17.6 1.6
1998 563 39.0 14.4 1.6
1999 600 44.0 13.6 1.5
2000 641 43.0 14.9 1.2
2001 619 42.7 14.5 2.4
2002 691 47.2 14.6 1.4
2003 691 47.2 14.6 1.4
2004 739 52.6 14.0 1.8
2005 698 47.9 14.6 2
2006 719 49.4 14.6 1.9
2007 683 40.7 16.8 1.5
2008 676 37.1 18.2 3.1
2009 664 38.0 17.5 3.3
2010 648 36.5 17.7 3.4
2011 639 35.9 17.7 4.5
2012 658 37.4 17.5 7.1
2013 681 36.2 18.8 3.8
2014 722 37.3 19.3 4.7
2015 690 38.0 18.1 4.1
2016 671 39.0 17.2 3.3
2017 614 35.0 17.5 4.1
2018 615 31.1 19.7 6.7
2019 546 32.7 16.6 7.3
2020 522 26.3 19.7 9.2
2021 607 29.9 20.2 10
2022 593 34.1 17.3 12.6
2023 577 36.9 15.6 14.9
2024 586 34.7 16.8 14.5

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 Brownell Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $529 (3.9%) $13,019 (96.1%) $13,548
2020 $360 (2.6%) $13,752 (97.4%) $14,113
2021 $730 (4.3%) $16,294 (95.7%) $17,024
2022 $952 (5.2%) $17,235 (94.8%) $18,187
2023 $1,044 (5.3%) $18,748 (94.7%) $19,791

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Brownell Middle 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 57th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 43rd of 883 Middle schools
 2.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Brownell Middle School)5359.2
 6.2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)52.759.4
 6.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Brownell Middle School)56.375.5
 19.2%
   6th Grade Math (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)45.664.9
 19.3%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Brownell Middle School)59.254
 5.2%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)53.551.8
 1.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Brownell Middle School)6362.6
 0.4%
   7th Grade Math (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)47.854.1
 6.3%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Brownell Middle School)51.653.9
 2.3%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)43.245.7
 2.5%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Brownell Middle School)91.677
 14.6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)81.974.8
 7.1%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Brownell Middle School)79.164.7
 14.4%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Grosse Pointe Public Schools)6356.1
 6.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students546577
 5.7%
African American3145
 45.2%
American Indian33
Asian611
 83.3%
Hispanic2819
 32.1%
Pacific Islander01
White461480
 4.1%
Two or More Races1718
 5.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients7.3%14.9%
 7.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Brownell Middle School

Yes! Brownell Middle School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 32nd of 897 Michigan middle schools.

Students who attend Brownell Middle School usually go on to attend Grosse Pointe South High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 586 students attended Brownell Middle School.

Students at Brownell Middle School are 82% White, 8% African American, 4% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 2% Asian.


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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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