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Knudsen Elementary School

Summary:

Knudsen Elementary School is a public elementary school in Waterford, Michigan, serving 271 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. While part of the Waterford School District, which has a 2-star rating, Knudsen faces several challenges compared to nearby schools.

Knudsen has a predominantly white student population (71.96%), significantly higher than schools like Donelson Hills Elementary (33.86% white) and Beaumont Elementary. Academically, Knudsen ranks in the bottom half of Michigan elementary schools and has lower test scores than the district and state averages. The school has also seen a sharp increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 8.3% to 29.5% in recent years, higher than nearby Houghton Elementary (18.6%) and Cooley Elementary (20.4%).

Despite increased spending per student, Knudsen's performance has not improved, and the school faces challenges in areas like racial diversity and academic achievement compared to other schools in the Waterford School District. Understanding the underlying factors and developing targeted strategies will be crucial for the district to address Knudsen's performance and support student success.


Detail:

Public K-5

 5449 Crescent Rd
       Waterford, MI  48327-2719

(248) 682-7300

District: Waterford School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
951st of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,582 Help


Students who attend Knudsen Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Waterford Mott High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.5 Help
Number of students:  243

Racial breakdown:

White:
73.3%
Hispanic:
12.8%
African American:
6.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  62.6% Help


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 Compare Knudsen Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Knudsen Elementary School ranks worse than 64% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 7th among 9 ranked elementary schools in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.03. (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 Knudsen Elementary School has the smallest elementary school student body size in the Waterford School District. Racial makeup is: White (73.3%), Hispanic (12.8%), African American (6.6%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 62.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Knudsen Elementary School is 14.5, which is the 3rd best among 9 elementary schools in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Knudsen Elementary School employs 16.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Knudsen Elementary School is $15,582. 7 elementary schools in the Waterford School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Knudsen Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Knudsen Elementary School 951st of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Knudsen 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:


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 Knudsen Elementary School?

Rank History for Knudsen Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Knudsen Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 70.14 433rd 1545 72.0%
2007 59.70 751st 1565 52.0%
2008 42.47 1168th 1577 25.9%
2009 41.14 1206th 1589 24.1%
2010 38.68 1235th 1552 20.4%
2011 37.60 1214th 1552 21.8%
2012 34.24 1163rd 1566 25.7%
2013 44.06 947th 1563 39.4%
2014 46.18 897th 1533 41.5%
2015 25.94 1216th 1580 23.0%
2016 33.67 1053rd 1548 32.0%
2017 27.25 1065th 1466 27.4%
2018 36.53 982nd 1448 32.2%
2019 23.98 1066th 1408 24.3%
2021 23.37 913th 1153 20.8%
2022 24.89 1001st 1344 25.5%
2023 35.21 917th 1470 37.6%
2024 34.03 951st 1486 36.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for English Language Learner students at Knudsen Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.12 187th 270 30.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for English Language Learner Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.33 774th 1397 44.6%
2019 33.64 798th 1134 29.6%
2021 23.12 642nd 749 14.3%
2022 26.76 847th 1099 22.9%
2023 41.65 775th 1350 42.6%
2024 36.31 878th 1381 36.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Knudsen Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.31 1026th 1443 28.9%
2019 17.55 1004th 1171 14.3%
2021 27.38 686th 902 23.9%
2023 23.12 1019th 1321 22.9%
2024 29.45 960th 1342 28.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Knudsen Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.52 895th 1446 38.1%
2019 22.25 969th 1196 19.0%
2023 43.25 729th 1334 45.4%
2024 34.88 859th 1347 36.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Knudsen Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 46.47 108th 222 51.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Knudsen Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.81 952nd 1253 24.0%
2019 13.18 1044th 1128 7.4%
2021 20.13 850th 1005 15.4%
2022 18.10 947th 1102 14.1%
2023 27.33 904th 1198 24.5%
2024 21.52 996th 1204 17.3%
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.

Knudsen Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.3)
33%

33%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, June 27, 2019

Open Quote I’m sure the teachers are doing the best they can with what they have. We have experienced a few dedicated teachers who really get to know the students and are great with parent communication.
We’ve also had one nightmare experience. Unfortunately this teacher is a kindergarten teacher. Perhaps in an older student classroom she would be more effective but she fails to communicate with parents and takes the child’s behavior as a personal attack.
I’d assume the problem is the management / principal. This school culture embraces the loss of recess as punishment for behavior from the previous day. The principal supports the teacher which is noble however it at times dismisses parents concerns. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, December 29, 2017

Open Quote 1st and 2nd grade attendee male child. So far so good. Child is enrolled a year early based on official age. 1st grade was a haze, teacher no longer there so it was a wash. 2nd grade teacher Redick is very involved / hands on. Like the free form sitting and learning approach. She is a bit more intense for expectations in consideration of my kids' age and fidgety status, but it's good for him to experience the contrast. I expect him to respect while "in someone else's house", but am a bit more flexible personally as I don't expect him to conform and become a factory issued automoton ready to work a lockdown 9-5 existence worshipping at the altar of a 40 year choke hold 401k aspiration. I grew up in the original hood so his educational experience is a bit more elevated and interesting. Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, August 19, 2016

Open Quote Love this school! All 3 of my girls attend there. It is like a big family. Very welcoming!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Knudsen 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 260 2 1 0 2 n/a n/a 0 265
1989 223 1 1 10 1 n/a n/a 0 236
1990 228 0 2 2 1 n/a n/a 0 233
1991 224 4 5 8 1 n/a n/a 22 264
1992 247 3 5 5 0 n/a n/a 0 260
1993 280 7 6 6 0 n/a n/a 0 299
1994 266 3 8 10 0 n/a n/a 0 287
1995 307 2 5 10 0 n/a n/a 0 324
1996 307 2 5 10 0 n/a n/a 0 324
1997 273 4 4 14 1 n/a n/a 0 296
1998 281 2 4 13 0 n/a n/a 0 300
1999 253 5 5 20 0 n/a n/a 0 283
2000 244 3 3 20 0 n/a n/a 0 270
2001 242 1 4 25 0 n/a n/a 0 272
2002 213 8 6 22 0 n/a n/a 0 249
2003 213 8 6 22 0 n/a n/a 0 249
2004 211 11 5 27 0 n/a n/a 0 254
2005 318 21 9 32 0 n/a n/a 0 380
2006 310 12 5 34 0 n/a n/a 0 361
2007 295 20 6 42 0 n/a n/a 0 363
2008 279 16 6 43 2 n/a n/a 0 346
2009 297 15 7 49 1 n/a n/a 0 369
2010 287 19 10 51 0 n/a n/a 0 367
2011 279 25 11 56 0 0 0 0 371
2012 265 25 12 58 2 0 0 0 362
2013 265 21 10 62 2 0 1 0 361
2014 245 16 8 70 2 0 2 0 343
2015 295 23 9 82 2 0 9 0 420
2016 270 23 6 73 2 0 11 0 385
2017 238 23 4 65 2 2 9 0 343
2018 232 21 3 70 1 0 13 0 340
2019 219 15 3 57 1 0 11 0 306
2020 240 23 2 51 1 0 13 0 330
2021 205 19 3 39 0 0 13 0 279
2022 186 21 2 32 0 1 12 0 254
2023 195 20 4 39 0 0 13 0 271
2024 178 16 2 31 0 1 15 0 243

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 Knudsen Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 265 n/a n/a n/a
1989 236 n/a n/a 8.9
1990 233 23.0 10.1 11.6
1991 264 n/a n/a n/a
1992 260 n/a n/a 12.7
1993 299 n/a 0.0 17.7
1994 287 11.1 25.9 12.5
1995 324 14.0 23.1 13.9
1996 324 14.0 23.1 13.9
1997 296 12.0 24.7 13.9
1998 300 11.0 27.3 13
1999 283 11.0 25.7 15.2
2000 270 9.5 28.4 17.8
2001 272 12.5 21.8 19.9
2002 249 9.5 26.2 15.7
2003 249 9.5 26.2 15.7
2004 254 12.0 21.2 24
2005 380 16.1 23.6 25.5
2006 361 15.9 22.7 23.5
2007 363 17.1 21.2 32.5
2008 346 16.0 21.6 30.9
2009 369 17.9 20.6 37.7
2010 367 17.9 20.4 44.7
2011 371 20.4 18.1 48.8
2012 362 21.5 16.7 51.9
2013 361 19.9 18.1 55.7
2014 343 20.4 16.7 58.3
2015 420 23.0 18.2 60.2
2016 385 24.0 16.0 66.2
2017 343 22.4 15.2 63.8
2018 340 19.7 17.2 67.1
2019 306 17.8 17.1 70.9
2020 330 18.1 18.1 67.3
2021 279 18.1 15.3 63.8
2022 254 15.6 16.1 66.1
2023 271 15.3 17.6 66.8
2024 243 16.7 14.5 62.6

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 Knudsen Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 265 n/a n/a n/a
1989 236 n/a n/a 8.9
1990 233 23.0 10.1 11.6
1991 264 n/a n/a n/a
1992 260 n/a n/a 12.7
1993 299 n/a 0.0 17.7
1994 287 11.1 25.9 12.5
1995 324 14.0 23.1 13.9
1996 324 14.0 23.1 13.9
1997 296 12.0 24.7 13.9
1998 300 11.0 27.3 13
1999 283 11.0 25.7 15.2
2000 270 9.5 28.4 17.8
2001 272 12.5 21.8 19.9
2002 249 9.5 26.2 15.7
2003 249 9.5 26.2 15.7
2004 254 12.0 21.2 24
2005 380 16.1 23.6 25.5
2006 361 15.9 22.7 23.5
2007 363 17.1 21.2 32.5
2008 346 16.0 21.6 30.9
2009 369 17.9 20.6 37.7
2010 367 17.9 20.4 44.7
2011 371 20.4 18.1 48.8
2012 362 21.5 16.7 51.9
2013 361 19.9 18.1 55.7
2014 343 20.4 16.7 58.3
2015 420 23.0 18.2 60.2
2016 385 24.0 16.0 66.2
2017 343 22.4 15.2 63.8
2018 340 19.7 17.2 67.1
2019 306 17.8 17.1 70.9
2020 330 18.1 18.1 67.3
2021 279 18.1 15.3 63.8
2022 254 15.6 16.1 66.1
2023 271 15.3 17.6 66.8
2024 243 16.7 14.5 62.6

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 Knudsen Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,425 (12.5%) $10,001 (87.5%) $11,426
2020 $1,319 (12.1%) $9,545 (87.9%) $10,864
2021 $1,891 (14.2%) $11,425 (85.8%) $13,316
2022 $2,606 (15.9%) $13,752 (84.1%) $16,358
2023 $2,943 (18.9%) $12,639 (81.1%) $15,582

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Knudsen 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 1066th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 917th of 1470 Elementary schools
 13.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Knudsen Elementary School)36.232
 4.2%
   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 (Knudsen Elementary School)24.131.4
 7.3%
   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 (Knudsen Elementary School)38.343.8
 5.5%
   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 (Knudsen Elementary School)33.331.3
 2%
   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 (Knudsen Elementary School)27.555.3
 27.8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)41.946
 4.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students306271
 11.4%
African American1520
 33.3%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian34
 33.3%
Hispanic5739
 31.6%
Pacific Islander00
White219195
 11%
Two or More Races1113
 18.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients70.9%66.8%
 4.1%

Schools Near Knudsen Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Knudsen Elementary School

In the 2023-24 school year, 243 students attended Knudsen Elementary School.

Knudsen Elementary School ranks 951st of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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

High : Waterford Mott High School

Students at Knudsen Elementary School are 73% White, 13% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races.


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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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