The top reported proficiency rate is 60% in Science. The lowest is 42% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Pattengill School
Pattengill School sits in Ann Arbor, a city shaped by the University of Michigan and a high-tech economy that draws startups and research activity. Publicly reported sources describe Ann Arbor as a walkable university town where the campus intermingles with downtown, and major employers range from the university's medical complex to offices for Google, Toyota, and Domino's. The city's growth trajectory is a subject of local political debate, and the housing market reflects that demand. Home values in the school's zip code run well above both state and national benchmarks, with a typical home price that sits roughly double the Michigan statewide figure. Rents are similarly elevated. For families renting, the monthly cost absorbs a moderate share of income; for buyers, the price-to-income ratio is steep, and current mortgage rates make ownership a serious financial commitment. The area's parks, the Nichols Arboretum, and bus connections between campuses and downtown give families outdoor and transit options.
Pattengill is a regular public school serving third through fifth grades, part of Ann Arbor Public Schools. It is a small school for its grade band, with roughly even distribution across the three grades. The student body is racially diverse. White students form the largest single group, with Black students the next largest, followed by Hispanic students, students of two or more races, and Asian students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The data did not include IEP or English learner counts, so those population details are not available here.
On Michigan's M-STEP assessments for the most recent school year, Pattengill's results tell a mixed story. Third-grade proficiency is the soft spot in both math and ELA, with roughly a third of tested students meeting proficiency in each subject. Fourth grade shows improvement in both areas, and fifth grade is where the school hits its stride. Fifth-grade ELA proficiency reaches a clear majority of tested students, and science and social studies results for fifth grade are similarly strong. Math proficiency climbs steadily from third to fifth grade. Across all tested subjects and grades, Pattengill's overall proficiency index sits above the midpoint among districts in Washtenaw County, a set of about twenty districts for which comparison data was available. The county's proficiency range is wide, and Pattengill lands comfortably in the upper half. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say whether these results represent improvement, decline, or stability over time. Participation rates were also missing from the data set.
Because Pattengill serves only grades three through five, there is no graduation rate to report. Chronic absenteeism data was not available, and no discipline, course access, or staffing details were provided. Title I status was listed as null, and the school has no magnet designation. Parents wanting information on class sizes, specialist staffing, or disciplinary practices would need to contact the school directly.
The district context matters for any family considering Pattengill. Ann Arbor Public Schools is navigating both investment and contraction simultaneously. Publicly reported sources indicate voters approved a large, long-term bond funding a new elementary school, classroom renovations, and facility improvements across the district, with construction ongoing. In late 2023, voters renewed an operating millage that provides substantial annual funding for day-to-day operations. Even with that renewal, the district approved budget reductions for the current school year, with additional cuts anticipated to address structural deficit spending. A parent may want to ask how those reductions affect staffing, programs, or services at Pattengill specifically. The district is also exploring a project-based New Tech High School, which would add a pathway option at the secondary level, though that is several years away from directly affecting Pattengill families.
For a family weighing Pattengill, the academic picture is one of a school where older students perform notably better than younger ones, with fifth-grade results standing out as a strength. The peer environment is diverse across race and economic background. The housing market is demanding. And the district is in a period of real transition, with facility investment and budget pressure running side by side.
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