Townsend Elementary School

Summary:

Townsend Elementary School is a public elementary school in Jackson, Michigan, serving 334 students in grades PK-6. The school is part of the Vandercook Lake Public Schools district, which is ranked 527 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Townsend Elementary faces significant challenges, including a student population that is 79.94% white, well above the diversity of nearby schools. Academically, the school consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools, with proficiency rates in M-Step English Language Arts and Math assessments that are 10-20 percentage points below state averages. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 7% to 41.4% over the past few years, and a high percentage (77.25%) of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Comparing Townsend Elementary to nearby schools highlights the need for improvement. For example, Paragon Charter Academy, located just 5 miles away, consistently outperforms Townsend Elementary by 20-30 percentage points in M-Step proficiency rates. Townsend's performance is particularly low for female students, white students, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite the school's challenges, it spends a relatively high amount per student ($16,023 in 2022-2023), suggesting that the issue may not be a lack of resources but rather how those resources are being utilized.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

 1005 Floyd Ave
       Jackson, MI  49203-6065


(517) 782-9044

District: Vandercook Lake Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
1252nd of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,023 Help


Students who attend Townsend Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Vandercook Lake High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.3 Help
Number of students:  360

Racial breakdown:

White:
76.7%
Two or more races:
13.3%
African American:
5.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  86.7% Help


 See top rated Michigan elementary schools

 Compare Townsend Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Townsend Elementary School ranks worse than 84.3% of elementary schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.69. (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 (76.7%), two or more races (13.3%), African American (5.3%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 86.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Townsend Elementary School is 16.3. (See more...)
Help
Compare Townsend Elementary School employs 22 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Townsend Elementary School is $16,023.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Townsend Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Townsend Elementary School 1252nd of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Townsend 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:


Vandercook Lake Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Vandercook Lake Public Schools 527th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Townsend Elementary School?

Rank History for Townsend Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Townsend Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 48.83 999th 1545 35.3%
2007 62.01 690th 1565 55.9%
2008 60.27 766th 1577 51.4%
2009 53.90 954th 1589 40.0%
2010 55.64 952nd 1552 38.7%
2011 41.32 1153rd 1552 25.7%
2012 50.73 822nd 1566 47.5%
2013 30.05 1186th 1563 24.1%
2014 28.57 1190th 1533 22.4%
2015 27.10 1201st 1580 24.0%
2016 37.62 993rd 1548 35.9%
2017 19.04 1174th 1466 19.9%
2018 25.56 1135th 1448 21.6%
2019 16.62 1181st 1408 16.1%
2021 16.17 1003rd 1153 13.0%
2022 16.37 1129th 1344 16.0%
2023 14.79 1239th 1470 15.7%
2024 14.69 1252nd 1486 15.7%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Townsend Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.11 51st 81 37.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Townsend Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.48 328th 403 18.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 33.82 994th 1397 28.8%
2019 25.40 909th 1134 19.8%
2021 28.78 577th 749 23.0%
2022 30.59 787th 1099 28.4%
2023 22.65 1076th 1350 20.3%
2024 20.59 1143rd 1381 17.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Townsend Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 22.89 1146th 1443 20.6%
2019 9.88 1101st 1171 6.0%
2022 15.56 984th 1106 11.0%
2023 18.35 1092nd 1321 17.3%
2024 10.98 1229th 1342 8.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Townsend Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 29.15 1068th 1446 26.1%
2019 18.75 1011th 1196 15.5%
2021 26.81 703rd 915 23.2%
2022 25.65 858th 1139 24.7%
2023 14.74 1148th 1334 13.9%
2024 21.09 1073rd 1347 20.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Townsend Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 12.86 1165th 1253 7.0%
2019 7.99 1092nd 1128 3.2%
2021 13.25 938th 1005 6.7%
2022 11.11 1036th 1102 6.0%
2023 7.92 1153rd 1198 3.8%
2024 7.69 1155th 1204 4.1%
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.

Townsend Elementary 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: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Saturday, May 28, 2022

Open Quote The school is failing and a toxic environment for kids. Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Open Quote Townsend school is a very nice school as long as you don't have special needs kid with a behavioral problem then they can't handle them. I would defiantly look for anther school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Townsend 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 248 3 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 260
1989 228 0 0 5 1 n/a n/a 0 234
1990 220 3 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 228
1991 219 3 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 223
1992 217 0 1 0 1 n/a n/a 0 219
1993 218 1 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 224
1994 228 1 0 4 1 n/a n/a 0 234
1995 272 5 1 3 3 n/a n/a 0 284
1996 272 5 1 3 3 n/a n/a 0 284
1997 309 8 1 6 7 n/a n/a 0 331
1998 343 10 0 10 12 n/a n/a 0 375
1999 337 7 1 8 17 n/a n/a 0 370
2000 666 3 0 6 3 n/a n/a 0 678
2001 641 2 1 12 1 n/a n/a 0 657
2002 621 20 2 10 3 n/a n/a 0 656
2003 621 20 2 10 3 n/a n/a 0 656
2004 635 17 2 9 3 n/a n/a 0 666
2005 636 14 2 14 2 n/a n/a 0 668
2006 596 18 1 14 1 n/a n/a 0 630
2007 600 16 4 13 3 n/a n/a 0 636
2008 554 15 6 12 6 n/a n/a 0 593
2009 542 24 8 11 9 n/a n/a 0 594
2010 532 30 10 12 0 n/a n/a 10 594
2011 524 20 5 16 0 5 14 0 584
2012 520 12 1 18 0 2 14 0 567
2013 522 13 1 21 0 0 21 0 578
2014 556 20 0 22 0 0 31 0 629
2015 518 13 0 16 0 0 45 0 592
2016 521 11 0 11 0 0 42 0 585
2017 508 9 0 16 0 0 43 0 576
2018 471 11 0 16 0 0 40 0 538
2019 388 7 0 8 0 0 42 0 445
2020 328 7 2 8 0 0 33 0 378
2021 344 8 2 13 0 0 46 0 413
2022 301 6 1 21 0 0 40 0 369
2023 267 8 1 18 0 0 40 0 334
2024 276 19 1 16 0 0 48 0 360

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 Townsend Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 260 n/a n/a n/a
1989 234 n/a n/a 9.4
1990 228 14.0 16.2 12.7
1991 223 n/a n/a n/a
1992 219 n/a n/a 19.2
1993 224 n/a 0.0 18.8
1994 234 10.1 23.2 17.9
1995 284 10.7 26.5 22.5
1996 284 10.7 26.5 22.5
1997 331 12.0 27.6 26.6
1998 375 16.0 23.4 26.4
1999 370 16.0 23.1 23.2
2000 678 29.5 23.0 31.6
2001 657 32.5 20.2 30.1
2002 656 38.0 17.3 37.8
2003 656 38.0 17.3 37.8
2004 666 35.5 18.8 37.2
2005 668 35.6 18.8 35.9
2006 630 35.6 17.7 47.6
2007 636 32.5 19.6 46.4
2008 593 31.3 18.9 43.8
2009 594 31.0 19.2 51.9
2010 594 31.5 18.8 59.8
2011 584 31.5 18.5 62
2012 567 31.5 18.0 64
2013 578 31.0 18.6 66.8
2014 629 35.0 17.9 71.1
2015 592 33.0 17.9 69.8
2016 585 32.0 18.2 65.1
2017 576 30.5 18.8 64.1
2018 538 28.6 18.7 72.7
2019 445 25.6 17.3 85.4
2020 378 27.6 13.6 65.1
2021 413 26.6 15.4 77.7
2022 369 23.8 15.4 86.4
2023 334 23.3 14.3 77.2
2024 360 22.0 16.3 86.7

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 Townsend Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 260 n/a n/a n/a
1989 234 n/a n/a 9.4
1990 228 14.0 16.2 12.7
1991 223 n/a n/a n/a
1992 219 n/a n/a 19.2
1993 224 n/a 0.0 18.8
1994 234 10.1 23.2 17.9
1995 284 10.7 26.5 22.5
1996 284 10.7 26.5 22.5
1997 331 12.0 27.6 26.6
1998 375 16.0 23.4 26.4
1999 370 16.0 23.1 23.2
2000 678 29.5 23.0 31.6
2001 657 32.5 20.2 30.1
2002 656 38.0 17.3 37.8
2003 656 38.0 17.3 37.8
2004 666 35.5 18.8 37.2
2005 668 35.6 18.8 35.9
2006 630 35.6 17.7 47.6
2007 636 32.5 19.6 46.4
2008 593 31.3 18.9 43.8
2009 594 31.0 19.2 51.9
2010 594 31.5 18.8 59.8
2011 584 31.5 18.5 62
2012 567 31.5 18.0 64
2013 578 31.0 18.6 66.8
2014 629 35.0 17.9 71.1
2015 592 33.0 17.9 69.8
2016 585 32.0 18.2 65.1
2017 576 30.5 18.8 64.1
2018 538 28.6 18.7 72.7
2019 445 25.6 17.3 85.4
2020 378 27.6 13.6 65.1
2021 413 26.6 15.4 77.7
2022 369 23.8 15.4 86.4
2023 334 23.3 14.3 77.2
2024 360 22.0 16.3 86.7

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 Townsend Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $934 (8.1%) $10,576 (91.9%) $11,510
2020 $1,189 (8.9%) $12,140 (91.1%) $13,329
2021 $2,094 (17.7%) $9,736 (82.3%) $11,831
2022 $2,253 (15.5%) $12,247 (84.5%) $14,500
2023 $1,930 (12.0%) $14,094 (88.0%) $16,023

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Townsend 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 1181st of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 1239th of 1470 Elementary schools
 0.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Townsend Elementary School)26.413
 13.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Vandercook Lake Public Schools)26.413
 13.4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Townsend Elementary School)37.518.5
 19%
   3rd Grade Math (Vandercook Lake Public Schools)37.518.5
 19%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Townsend Elementary School)21.122.2
 1.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Vandercook Lake Public Schools)21.122.2
 1.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Townsend Elementary School)17.113.9
 3.2%
   4th Grade Math (Vandercook Lake Public Schools)17.113.9
 3.2%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Townsend Elementary School)29.38.5
 20.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Vandercook Lake Public Schools)29.38.2
 21.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Townsend Elementary School)26.58.5
 18%
   5th Grade Math (Vandercook Lake Public Schools)26.58.2
 18.3%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students445334
 24.9%
African American78
 14.3%
American Indian00
Asian01
Hispanic818
 125%
Pacific Islander00
White388267
 31.2%
Two or More Races4240
 4.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients85.4%77.2%
 8.1%


Schools Near Townsend Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Townsend Elementary School

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

High : Vandercook Lake High School

Townsend Elementary School ranks in the bottom 15.7% of Michigan elementary schools.

Students at Townsend Elementary School are 77% White, 13% Two or more races, 5% African American, 4% Hispanic.

In the 2023-24 school year, 360 students attended Townsend 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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