The top reported proficiency rate is 65% in Science. The lowest is 45% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Lakeland Elementary School
Lakeland Elementary School sits in the village of Elk Rapids, a small waterfront community on the isthmus between Elk Lake and Grand Traverse Bay in Antrim County. The village has a historic downtown along River Street, and the school is part of a compact civic layout where the elementary, middle, and high schools all operate within village limits. Elk Rapids functions as both a residential community and a seasonal tourist destination, sitting roughly a short drive northeast of Traverse City. The harbor, the waterfront, and the village's designation as a Pure Michigan Trail Town give the place a distinct recreational identity. Publicly reported sources describe slow population growth since the last census and a sharp rise in housing values over recent years, with no specific new developments identified.
The school serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and falls within the Elk Rapids Schools district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet. The student body is modest in size for its grade band. Demographically, the enrollment is predominantly white, with small numbers of students from other racial and ethnic backgrounds. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Data on individualized education programs and English learner status was not reported, so those figures are absent here rather than indicative of anything about the school.
On state assessments, Lakeland's results tell a mixed but generally encouraging story. English language arts is the school's clear strength. Proficiency rates climb meaningfully from third grade to fifth grade, with the oldest tested grade reaching a level well above what many elementary schools achieve. Fifth-grade science is similarly strong, and fifth-grade social studies sits at a solid level. Math is the softer area. Third and fourth grade math proficiency lag behind the school's own ELA results, though fifth grade math rebounds to a respectable level. The pattern suggests that younger students may need more support in early math, and a parent may want to look into this further with the school. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile relative to districts in Antrim County, which is a genuinely strong standing among its immediate peers.
Because Lakeland is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report. That metric simply does not apply to this grade band. Chronic absenteeism data was also not available. No multi-year trend data was reported, so it is not possible to characterize whether these results represent improvement, stability, or decline over time. Participation rates for the state assessments were missing as well.
The housing market surrounding the school is expensive relative to both state and national benchmarks. The typical home value in the school's zip code sits well above the Michigan statewide figure and above the national figure, and the price-to-income ratio indicates that buying a home here requires a substantial income. This reflects the broader pattern in Elk Rapids, where housing values have appreciated sharply over the past decade. Rent data was not available. For families considering a move to the area, the housing cost is a real factor and one that shapes who can access this school community.
Lakeland Elementary offers a solid academic foundation in a small, waterfront community with a distinct seasonal character. Its literacy and science outcomes are strong, its math outcomes are uneven across grades, and its standing among Antrim County districts is near the top. The village setting is compact and civic-minded, with schools close to downtown and the waterfront. What is missing from the available data is information on special populations, absenteeism, and any district-level strategic initiatives or bond activity, so those pieces of the picture remain open.
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