South Lake Middle School

Summary:

South Lake Middle School is a public middle school in Saint Clair Shores, Michigan, serving 299 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Lake Shore Public Schools district, which is ranked 536 out of 610 districts in the state.

South Lake Middle School faces significant challenges, with a student population that is 65.22% African American, far exceeding the state average. The school consistently ranks in the bottom quartile of Michigan middle schools, with proficiency rates on state assessments ranging from just 4-20% in core subjects. This is in stark contrast to nearby schools like Kennedy Middle School and Brownell Middle School, which serve more affluent and racially diverse student populations and outperform South Lake Middle School on academic measures. Additionally, South Lake Middle School has experienced a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 21.1% in 2019-2020 to 50.1% in 2022-2023, much higher than the state average.

Despite spending over $17,000 per student, South Lake Middle School's academic outcomes remain poor, suggesting that simply increasing funding may not be the sole solution to improving student performance. The school's persistent underperformance compared to state and local averages, as well as the widening gaps in subgroup performance, indicate the need for a comprehensive, data-driven approach to address the root causes of these issues and provide equitable educational opportunities for all students.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 21621 California St
       Saint Clair Shores, MI  48080-1879


(586) 435-1301

District: South Lake Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
804th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,381 Help


Students who attend South Lake Middle School usually attend:

High:    South Lake High School

Feeder schools for South Lake Middle School:

Elementary:    Avalon Elementary School
    Elmwood Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.4 Help
Number of students:  299

Racial breakdown:

African American:
65.2%
White:
22.4%
Two or more races:
7.4%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  66.2% Help


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 Compare South Lake Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South Lake Middle School ranks worse than 89.6% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.87. (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: African American (65.2%), White (22.4%), two or more races (7.4%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 66.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South Lake Middle School is 16.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare South Lake Middle School employs 18.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at South Lake Middle School is $17,381.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

South Lake Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks South Lake Middle School 804th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See South Lake Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


South Lake Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks South Lake Schools 536th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for South Lake Middle School?

Rank History for South Lake Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 55.84 454th 806 43.7%
2007 62.20 383rd 823 53.5%
2008 64.46 356th 839 57.6%
2009 66.22 355th 847 58.1%
2010 66.68 351st 851 58.8%
2011 57.16 473rd 858 44.9%
2012 46.09 512th 900 43.1%
2013 39.23 596th 919 35.1%
2014 29.24 692nd 921 24.9%
2015 36.69 599th 919 34.8%
2016 28.07 646th 894 27.7%
2017 26.21 599th 821 27.0%
2018 26.66 651st 838 22.3%
2019 18.10 664th 792 16.2%
2021 9.10 646th 675 4.3%
2022 6.25 754th 776 2.8%
2023 10.56 801st 883 9.3%
2024 11.87 804th 897 10.4%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 18.43 132nd 156 15.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.77 598th 815 26.6%
2019 18.13 590th 672 12.2%
2021 12.70 498th 523 4.8%
2022 8.35 667th 691 3.5%
2023 10.96 766th 825 7.2%
2024 15.61 746th 836 10.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.04 600th 794 24.4%
2019 18.32 559th 658 15.0%
2022 4.05 652nd 657 0.8%
2023 9.04 725th 770 5.8%
2024 8.71 736th 771 4.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 25.01 608th 797 23.7%
2019 13.23 579th 639 9.4%
2021 17.82 478th 540 11.5%
2022 7.87 631st 658 4.1%
2023 10.09 719th 776 7.3%
2024 16.03 673rd 786 14.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.36 171st 366 53.3%
2019 29.00 145th 196 26.0%
2021 21.25 72nd 77 6.5%
2022 16.71 163rd 182 10.4%
2023 25.55 232nd 310 25.2%
2024 26.21 224th 300 25.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for White students at South Lake Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.54 430th 678 36.6%
2019 32.62 425th 624 31.9%
2023 14.66 621st 688 9.7%
2024 24.41 551st 701 21.4%
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.

South Lake Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.4)
70%

20%

0%

0%

10%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Monday, August 27, 2018

Open Quote We love South Lake Middle School. It is a smaller middle school with alot of advantages. Great teachers, responsive principal and individual learning for each student. Parents are involved and there is something for everyone! Close Quote


by a teacher
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Open Quote teachers and staff are invested in students achievement Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Open Quote Great school district! Staff is incredibly passionate and works hard to make sure that students are ready to succeed. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Open Quote Teachers are caring and knowledgeable. There are so many activities for students to get involved in like Student Government, Choir, Band, Game Club, Student Action Team, Cooking Classes for families! Close Quote


by a teacher
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Open Quote We have an amazing and dedicated staff that goes above and beyond to meet the needs of our students. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Open Quote The teachers really care about the students. Close Quote


by a teacher
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Open Quote Teachers work very hard to help the students in every way possible. Some students are fantastic, some are a little more rough. It is very similar to other schools. The diversity in the building is inspiring and watching kids from all different backgrounds work together is great to observe. Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Open Quote Teachers are kind, loving, and knowledgeable. Couldn't ask for a better support system for my child. Close Quote



Enrollment information for South Lake Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 259 1 5 1 13 n/a n/a 0 279
1989 263 1 4 2 9 n/a n/a 0 279
1990 255 0 2 3 14 n/a n/a 0 274
1991 284 1 3 1 20 n/a n/a 0 309
1992 275 1 6 3 12 n/a n/a 0 297
1993 289 0 4 0 2 n/a n/a 0 295
1994 292 1 3 2 6 n/a n/a 0 304
1995 347 3 10 1 35 n/a n/a 0 396
1996 347 3 10 1 35 n/a n/a 0 396
1997 349 6 3 7 10 n/a n/a 0 375
1998 349 7 10 3 11 n/a n/a 0 380
1999 318 11 11 5 7 n/a n/a 0 352
2000 340 18 9 4 7 n/a n/a 0 378
2001 322 24 10 6 14 n/a n/a 0 376
2002 335 32 7 6 5 n/a n/a 16 401
2003 335 32 7 6 5 n/a n/a 16 401
2004 319 47 3 4 1 n/a n/a 8 382
2005 299 61 4 9 3 n/a n/a 0 376
2006 291 75 6 17 7 n/a n/a 0 396
2007 244 78 2 10 7 n/a n/a 13 354
2008 228 93 4 8 4 n/a n/a 10 347
2009 222 90 4 5 2 n/a n/a 7 330
2010 291 132 9 27 2 n/a n/a 1 462
2011 265 153 6 18 1 0 13 0 456
2012 258 179 6 9 2 0 20 0 474
2013 221 180 5 9 1 0 27 0 443
2014 178 190 4 7 1 0 33 0 413
2015 158 170 3 12 2 0 26 0 371
2016 135 199 3 8 0 0 31 0 376
2017 117 197 4 10 0 0 26 0 354
2018 95 204 2 11 0 0 31 0 343
2019 96 201 5 10 0 0 23 0 335
2020 93 210 4 12 0 0 27 0 346
2021 78 211 5 14 0 0 23 0 331
2022 88 214 5 13 1 0 20 0 341
2023 67 195 3 12 0 0 22 0 299

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 Lake Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 279 n/a n/a n/a
1989 279 n/a n/a 10
1990 274 26.0 10.5 12
1991 309 n/a n/a n/a
1992 297 n/a n/a 14.1
1993 295 n/a 0.0 11.9
1994 304 16.4 18.5 14.5
1995 396 20.0 19.8 12.4
1996 396 20.0 19.8 12.4
1997 375 20.0 18.8 10.9
1998 380 21.0 18.1 8.4
1999 352 22.0 16.0 10.8
2000 378 23.2 16.3 15.9
2001 376 24.3 15.5 13.3
2002 401 24.0 16.7 20.8
2003 401 24.0 16.7 20.8
2004 382 28.0 13.6 19.8
2005 376 24.0 15.7 21.3
2006 396 23.2 17.1 24.5
2007 354 22.2 15.9 27.6
2008 347 19.7 17.6 35.9
2009 330 17.5 18.9 40.9
2010 462 26.0 17.7 48.2
2011 456 25.1 18.1 53.3
2012 474 23.7 19.9 55.3
2013 443 24.9 17.7 57.3
2014 413 23.0 17.9 60
2015 371 20.0 18.5 65
2016 376 20.0 18.8 69.1
2017 354 20.8 16.9 73.4
2018 343 19.3 17.7 70
2019 335 19.5 17.1 71.9
2020 346 17.7 19.5 67.1
2021 331 17.3 19.1 61.3
2022 341 16.8 20.2 67.7
2023 299 18.2 16.4 66.2

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 Lake Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 279 n/a n/a n/a
1989 279 n/a n/a 10
1990 274 26.0 10.5 12
1991 309 n/a n/a n/a
1992 297 n/a n/a 14.1
1993 295 n/a 0.0 11.9
1994 304 16.4 18.5 14.5
1995 396 20.0 19.8 12.4
1996 396 20.0 19.8 12.4
1997 375 20.0 18.8 10.9
1998 380 21.0 18.1 8.4
1999 352 22.0 16.0 10.8
2000 378 23.2 16.3 15.9
2001 376 24.3 15.5 13.3
2002 401 24.0 16.7 20.8
2003 401 24.0 16.7 20.8
2004 382 28.0 13.6 19.8
2005 376 24.0 15.7 21.3
2006 396 23.2 17.1 24.5
2007 354 22.2 15.9 27.6
2008 347 19.7 17.6 35.9
2009 330 17.5 18.9 40.9
2010 462 26.0 17.7 48.2
2011 456 25.1 18.1 53.3
2012 474 23.7 19.9 55.3
2013 443 24.9 17.7 57.3
2014 413 23.0 17.9 60
2015 371 20.0 18.5 65
2016 376 20.0 18.8 69.1
2017 354 20.8 16.9 73.4
2018 343 19.3 17.7 70
2019 335 19.5 17.1 71.9
2020 346 17.7 19.5 67.1
2021 331 17.3 19.1 61.3
2022 341 16.8 20.2 67.7
2023 299 18.2 16.4 66.2

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 Lake Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $925 (8.1%) $10,554 (91.9%) $11,479
2020 $881 (7.5%) $10,845 (92.5%) $11,726
2021 $937 (7.4%) $11,676 (92.6%) $12,612
2022 $894 (6.7%) $12,502 (93.3%) $13,396
2023 $1,117 (6.4%) $16,264 (93.6%) $17,381

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

Impact of COVID-19 on South Lake 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 664th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 801st of 883 Middle schools
 6.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (South Lake Middle School)25.213.7
 11.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (South Lake Schools)25.213.7
 11.5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (South Lake Middle School)13.45.9
 7.5%
   6th Grade Math (South Lake Schools)13.45.9
 7.5%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (South Lake Middle School)22.916.5
 6.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (South Lake Schools)22.916.5
 6.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (South Lake Middle School)15.63.1
 12.5%
   7th Grade Math (South Lake Schools)15.63.1
 12.5%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (South Lake Middle School)18.510.2
 8.3%
   8th Grade Social Studies (South Lake Schools)18.510.2
 8.3%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (South Lake Middle School)51.330.9
 20.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (South Lake Schools)51.330.9
 20.4%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (South Lake Middle School)14.513.4
 1.1%
   8th Grade Mathematics (South Lake Schools)14.513.4
 1.1%
   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 Students335299
 10.7%
African American201195
 3%
American Indian00
Asian53
 40%
Hispanic1012
 20%
Pacific Islander00
White9667
 30.2%
Two or More Races2322
 4.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71.9%66.2%
 5.7%


Schools Near South Lake Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about South Lake Middle School

Students at South Lake Middle School are 65% African American, 22% White, 7% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 299 students attended South Lake Middle School.

Students who attend South Lake Middle School usually go on to attend South Lake High School

South Lake Middle School ranks in the bottom 10.4% of Michigan middle schools.


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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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