Donelson Hills Elementary School

Summary:

Donelson Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterford School District, serving students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school has a diverse student population, with a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Academically, Donelson Hills Elementary School consistently ranks in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools, with significantly lower proficiency rates on M-Step tests compared to the district and state averages. The school's chronic absenteeism rate has also increased significantly, reaching 40.1% in the 2022-2023 school year, which is much higher than the state average. Additionally, the school has a relatively high student-teacher ratio of 18.8, which is higher than the ratios of nearby Knudsen Elementary, Riverside Elementary, and Haviland Elementary schools in the Waterford School District.

Interestingly, the nearby Great Lakes Academy and Roosevelt Elementary, a public magnet school in the West Bloomfield School District, have a more diverse student population and generally perform better academically than Donelson Hills Elementary School. Additionally, the school's African American and Hispanic students perform better than the school's overall average, while the White students perform significantly worse.


Detail:

Public K-5

 2690 Wewoka Rd
       Waterford, MI  48328-3259


(248) 682-9530

District: Waterford School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
1021st of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $17,730 Help


Students who attend Donelson Hills Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Mason Middle School
High:    Waterford Mott High School

Student/teacher ratio:  18.8 Help
Number of students:  378

Racial breakdown:

White:
33.9%
Hispanic:
32.3%
African American:
25.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  84.9% Help


 See top rated Michigan elementary schools

 Compare Donelson Hills Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Donelson Hills Elementary School ranks worse than 68.7% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 8th among 9 ranked elementary schools in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.76. (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
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Compare Details Student population at Donelson Hills Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (33.9%), Hispanic (32.3%), African American (25.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 84.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Donelson Hills Elementary School is 18.8. 6 elementary schools in the Waterford School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Donelson Hills Elementary School employs 20 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Donelson Hills Elementary School is $17,730, which is the 4th highest among 9 elementary schools in the Waterford School District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Donelson Hills Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Donelson Hills Elementary School 1021st of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Donelson Hills Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Waterford School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterford School District 378th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Donelson Hills Elementary School?

Rank History for Donelson Hills Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 58.55 767th 1545 50.4%
2007 53.26 928th 1565 40.7%
2008 46.52 1098th 1577 30.4%
2009 57.28 876th 1589 44.9%
2010 60.47 839th 1552 45.9%
2011 30.31 1291st 1552 16.8%
2012 30.80 1207th 1566 22.9%
2013 16.96 1351st 1563 13.6%
2014 30.41 1161st 1533 24.3%
2015 41.95 972nd 1580 38.5%
2016 20.43 1231st 1548 20.5%
2017 17.35 1205th 1466 17.8%
2018 15.37 1281st 1448 11.5%
2019 21.67 1110th 1408 21.2%
2021 15.64 1008th 1153 12.6%
2022 12.60 1180th 1344 12.2%
2023 20.48 1138th 1470 22.6%
2024 29.76 1021st 1486 31.3%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 19.49 253rd 270 6.3%
2023 33.27 119th 180 33.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.58 1168th 1397 16.4%
2019 30.62 842nd 1134 25.7%
2021 25.41 621st 749 17.1%
2022 20.50 924th 1099 15.9%
2023 25.97 1026th 1350 24.0%
2024 33.85 936th 1381 32.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.60 1254th 1443 13.1%
2019 21.16 963rd 1171 17.8%
2021 15.33 825th 902 8.5%
2022 9.89 1040th 1106 6.0%
2023 24.25 998th 1321 24.5%
2024 40.77 752nd 1342 44.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 15.90 1239th 1446 14.3%
2019 18.91 1010th 1196 15.6%
2021 12.14 860th 915 6.0%
2022 9.61 1069th 1139 6.1%
2023 14.27 1160th 1334 13.0%
2024 17.63 1121st 1347 16.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.47 261st 475 45.1%
2024 59.60 103rd 348 70.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.76 198th 222 10.8%
2019 42.42 42nd 86 51.2%
2021 43.03 16th 30 46.7%
2022 38.31 49th 86 43.0%
2023 30.86 129th 188 31.4%
2024 34.13 132nd 201 34.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Donelson Hills Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 13.78 1150th 1253 8.2%
2019 24.06 915th 1128 18.9%
2021 20.78 844th 1005 16.0%
2022 16.30 969th 1102 12.1%
2023 29.55 864th 1198 27.9%
2024 39.97 731st 1204 39.3%
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.

Donelson Hills 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: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Friday, August 17, 2018

Open Quote I am a retired special education teacher. I taught in several inter city districts. Waterford district was not one of them.
I have volunteered here for better than 3 years. The staff cares for each and every student!
The children wonderful, their needs are different from suburban schools. When comparing schools please compare urban to urban schools for accurate analysis of school placements. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Donelson Hills 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 378 3 5 9 1 n/a n/a 0 396
1989 363 2 4 18 1 n/a n/a 0 388
1990 372 9 3 11 0 n/a n/a 0 395
1991 332 6 2 9 4 n/a n/a 0 353
1992 331 8 4 11 3 n/a n/a 0 357
1993 332 7 4 14 6 n/a n/a 0 363
1994 322 18 4 18 6 n/a n/a 0 368
1995 340 13 3 18 3 n/a n/a 0 377
1996 340 13 3 18 3 n/a n/a 0 377
1997 330 13 8 19 1 n/a n/a 0 371
1998 368 13 5 22 2 n/a n/a 0 410
1999 359 14 5 40 1 n/a n/a 0 419
2000 319 19 9 39 1 n/a n/a 49 436
2001 352 28 16 46 1 n/a n/a 0 443
2002 314 24 6 27 1 n/a n/a 0 372
2003 314 24 6 27 1 n/a n/a 0 372
2004 299 21 9 41 4 n/a n/a 0 374
2005 278 22 9 41 6 n/a n/a 0 356
2006 246 25 10 47 5 n/a n/a 0 333
2007 308 39 12 71 6 n/a n/a 0 436
2008 292 47 12 76 2 n/a n/a 0 429
2009 260 60 11 89 2 n/a n/a 0 422
2010 250 67 13 98 9 n/a n/a 0 437
2011 261 65 14 92 4 3 0 0 439
2012 248 77 7 95 4 4 0 0 435
2013 256 84 8 121 5 2 3 0 479
2014 218 61 9 129 4 2 10 0 433
2015 225 90 8 178 6 0 21 0 528
2016 211 84 7 176 6 1 19 0 504
2017 212 97 15 178 4 1 24 0 531
2018 205 98 13 178 0 0 33 0 527
2019 173 99 8 157 2 1 32 0 472
2020 159 92 9 142 1 0 33 0 436
2021 137 86 12 125 1 0 23 0 384
2022 136 93 8 138 0 0 21 0 396
2023 128 95 8 122 0 0 25 0 378

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 Donelson Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 396 n/a n/a n/a
1989 388 n/a n/a 18.3
1990 395 26.0 15.1 22.8
1991 353 n/a n/a n/a
1992 357 n/a n/a 35.6
1993 363 n/a 0.0 40.8
1994 368 16.0 23.0 37.8
1995 377 15.0 25.1 0
1996 377 15.0 25.1 0
1997 371 14.0 26.5 0
1998 410 21.0 19.5 0
1999 419 22.0 19.0 0
2000 436 20.5 18.9 38.2
2001 443 18.7 23.7 32.5
2002 372 12.5 29.8 32
2003 372 12.5 29.8 32
2004 374 14.0 26.7 37.2
2005 356 19.8 18.0 n/a
2006 333 18.1 18.4 43.5
2007 436 24.2 18.0 49.1
2008 429 24.1 17.8 43.8
2009 422 26.6 15.9 53.1
2010 437 21.9 19.9 68.2
2011 439 26.7 16.4 68.1
2012 435 27.1 16.0 73.6
2013 479 30.0 15.9 79.1
2014 433 26.9 16.0 82.9
2015 528 31.0 17.0 85.2
2016 504 29.0 17.3 85.3
2017 531 30.6 17.3 87.2
2018 527 32.6 16.1 86.1
2019 472 31.0 15.2 88.1
2020 436 28.6 15.2 86.7
2021 384 23.3 16.4 82
2022 396 21.1 18.7 83.6
2023 378 20.0 18.8 84.9

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 Donelson Hills Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 396 n/a n/a n/a
1989 388 n/a n/a 18.3
1990 395 26.0 15.1 22.8
1991 353 n/a n/a n/a
1992 357 n/a n/a 35.6
1993 363 n/a 0.0 40.8
1994 368 16.0 23.0 37.8
1995 377 15.0 25.1 0
1996 377 15.0 25.1 0
1997 371 14.0 26.5 0
1998 410 21.0 19.5 0
1999 419 22.0 19.0 0
2000 436 20.5 18.9 38.2
2001 443 18.7 23.7 32.5
2002 372 12.5 29.8 32
2003 372 12.5 29.8 32
2004 374 14.0 26.7 37.2
2005 356 19.8 18.0 n/a
2006 333 18.1 18.4 43.5
2007 436 24.2 18.0 49.1
2008 429 24.1 17.8 43.8
2009 422 26.6 15.9 53.1
2010 437 21.9 19.9 68.2
2011 439 26.7 16.4 68.1
2012 435 27.1 16.0 73.6
2013 479 30.0 15.9 79.1
2014 433 26.9 16.0 82.9
2015 528 31.0 17.0 85.2
2016 504 29.0 17.3 85.3
2017 531 30.6 17.3 87.2
2018 527 32.6 16.1 86.1
2019 472 31.0 15.2 88.1
2020 436 28.6 15.2 86.7
2021 384 23.3 16.4 82
2022 396 21.1 18.7 83.6
2023 378 20.0 18.8 84.9

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 Donelson Hills Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,695 (14.3%) $10,163 (85.7%) $11,859
2020 $1,541 (13.1%) $10,220 (86.9%) $11,761
2021 $2,006 (14.8%) $11,527 (85.2%) $13,533
2022 $2,066 (14.5%) $12,214 (85.5%) $14,280
2023 $3,144 (17.7%) $14,586 (82.3%) $17,730

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Donelson Hills 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 1110th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 1138th of 1470 Elementary schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Donelson Hills Elementary School)33.343.5
 10.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)44.838.6
 6.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Donelson Hills Elementary School)34.830.6
 4.2%
   3rd Grade Math (Waterford School District)37.134.8
 2.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Donelson Hills Elementary School)41.822.9
 18.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)50.943.9
 7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Donelson Hills Elementary School)37.322.9
 14.4%
   4th Grade Math (Waterford School District)44.237.9
 6.3%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Donelson Hills Elementary School)23.118.1
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)41.946
 4.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Donelson Hills Elementary School)15.47
 8.4%
   5th Grade Math (Waterford School District)28.326.7
 1.6%
   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 Students472378
 19.9%
African American9995
 4%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian88
Hispanic157122
 22.3%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White173128
 26%
Two or More Races3225
 21.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients88.1%84.9%
 3.2%


Schools Near Donelson Hills Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Donelson Hills Elementary School

Donelson Hills Elementary School ranks 1021st of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Donelson Hills Elementary School are 34% White, 32% Hispanic, 25% African American, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Students who attend Donelson Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mason Middle School
High : Waterford Mott High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 378 students attended Donelson Hills 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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