The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in Math. The lowest is 9% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Brookside Elementary School
Brookside Elementary School sits on Escott Street in Big Rapids, serving the early elementary grades as part of Big Rapids Public Schools. The school lists prekindergarten through fourth grade in its directory, though the current enrollment is concentrated in grades one through four, with no prekindergarten or kindergarten students enrolled. The school is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it operates as the primary elementary building for families in the district.
The student body is predominantly white, with a small number of students identifying as Black or Hispanic and a somewhat larger share identifying as two or more races. A substantial portion of the school's students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic mix of the community. Data on English learners and students receiving special education services through individualized education programs was not reported, so those population details are not available here.
On Michigan's M-STEP assessment, Brookside's results from the most recent testing cycle show a split picture between subjects. In math, roughly the mid-40s share of third and fourth graders reached proficiency, a moderate result for the grade band. English language arts results trail math, with third grade in the low 30s and fourth grade improving to the high 30s in proficient share. A single science result appears in the data, but it dates back many testing cycles and reflects a different cohort, so it tells little about current performance. A parent looking at these results would want to understand how the school supports literacy growth specifically, since reading outcomes sit below math at both tested grades.
Positioned relative to districts in Mecosta County, Brookside's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it above the midpoint among the county's districts, though below the county median. The county cohort is small, so this positioning reflects a narrow field rather than a broad one. No graduation rate applies here, because the school does not serve high school grades. No chronic absenteeism figure was reported.
Big Rapids itself is a college town and the Mecosta County seat, shaped heavily by the presence of Ferris State University. The university is a major employer and brings a steady flow of students, cultural activity, and employment to the region. Beyond the campus, the city has an industrial base with corporations producing goods distributed widely, and a historic downtown with shops and businesses. The Muskegon River runs through the city, passing the university and the local middle school, and serves as a natural anchor for tubing and fishing. The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail, a long multi-use path connecting Grand Rapids to Cadillac, passes through Big Rapids and gives residents a biking and walking route. Roben-Hood Airport sits north of the business district. Local bus service is available.
The city's population peaked in the 1980s and has seen a long-term decline since then, partly tied to declining enrollment at Ferris State. Recent estimates, though, show slight population growth, suggesting the trend may be stabilizing. For families considering the area, this means a town with established infrastructure and civic life but one that has weathered contraction and is now showing tentative signs of turnaround.
Housing in the school's zip code is relatively affordable compared with both Michigan and national benchmarks. The typical home value sits below the state figure and well below the national one, with a price-to-income ratio that looks modest by national standards. Home values have been appreciating at a healthy annual clip recently, so buyers may find the market active but still within reach compared with many parts of the state.
No information was available on staffing ratios, course offerings, discipline data, attendance patterns, or Title I status for Brookside. The district brief for Big Rapids Public Schools did not surface parent-relevant changes, so there is little to report on recent strategic shifts or program additions. A family evaluating this school would want to ask directly about literacy support, class sizes, and any interventions the building has put in place for students performing below grade level in reading.
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