- Enrollment
- 1,552
- Students per teacher
- 19.6:1
- Resource Index
- 36/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Clarkston, MI
Independence Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for Independence Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 47/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 260990001160
👥 S:T ratio 49
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 61
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Independence Elementary School earns 47/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes smaller than 85% of Michigan schools.
- #2 of 6
- schools in Clarkston · Resource Index
- 47
- Resource Index · Typical
- 12.7:1
- small classes for Michigan
- 12.5%
- free-lunch eligible
Independence Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 85% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Independence Elementary School ranks #2 of 6 schools in Clarkston, MI.
School address
District: Clarkston Community School District · Michigan
NCES ID 260990001160 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+18 students YoY
Independence Elementary School held near 457 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+18 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 35.8 → 32.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+18 students YoY 260990001160 · Clarkston, MI Other · SMALL · TRAD
446 enr · 12.7:1 · 12.5% lunch · RII 47
Nearest enrollment peer: Clarkston High School (1,552 students)
Independence Elementary School held near 457 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+18 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 35.8 → 32.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
Independence Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Clarkston High
Clarkston High School
1,552 students
- Clarkston Juni
Clarkston Junior High School
1,007 students
- Sashabaw Middl
Sashabaw Middle School
933 students
- Bailey Lake El 522
Bailey Lake Elementary School
522 students
- Springfield Pl 495
Springfield Plains Elem School
495 students
- This school 446
Independence Elementary School
446 students
What this shows Independence Elementary School reports 446 students on the CCD universe file.
How Independence Elementary School compares
Independence Elementary School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 12.7:1 | ▼ 27% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 12.5% | ▼ 77% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 446 | top 33% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
12.7:1
Leaner classes than 69% of US schools, among the more generously staffed nationally.
446
Bigger than 54% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
12.5%
free-lunch eligible
- 77% below the Michigan average of 54.3%
Below the 40% Title I threshold, among the lower-need profiles in the state; federal aid targets individual qualifying students rather than schoolwide programs.
Staffing depth
12.7:1
students per teacher
- 27% below state mean
Top 15% in Michigan - lower ratio than 85% of state schools
Well under the widely cited 15:1 individualized-attention benchmark, among the leaner class loads nationally.
Engagement
15.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
In the 15-20% range, nearing the "high" absenteeism threshold.
Funding equity
$16,234
per pupil, district-wide
- above Michigan avg of $15,012
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 2 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.4 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 89.0%
Hispanic or Latino 4.9%
Two or More 3.4%
African American 1.6%
Asian 0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
Largest group: White at 89.0% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 20.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 20.4, Independence Elementary School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Clarkston Community School District reports $16,234 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Independence Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarkston High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Clarkston Junior High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Sashabaw Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Bailey Lake Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Springfield Plains Elem School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Independence Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 1,007
- Students per teacher
- 16.8:1
- Resource Index
- 35/100
- Enrollment
- 933
- Students per teacher
- 15.8:1
- Resource Index
- 37/100
- Enrollment
- 522
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 46/100
- Enrollment
- 495
- Students per teacher
- 14.1:1
- Resource Index
- 41/100
Similar other schools in Clarkston
1 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
Nationwide other schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~446 students)
Frequently asked questions about Independence Elementary School
How many students attend Independence Elementary School?
Independence Elementary School has 446 students enrolled. It is a public school in Clarkston, MI. CCD year-over-year: 439 (2022-23) → 457 (2023-24), nearly flat (+18).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Independence Elementary School is 12.7:1, which is 27% lower than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 19% lower than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Independence Elementary School?
12.5% of students at Independence Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Independence Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at Independence Elementary School is White at 89.0% of enrollment, in Clarkston, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Independence Elementary School?
Independence Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 47/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Independence Elementary School rank among schools in Clarkston?
By Resource Investment Index, Independence Elementary School ranks #2 of 6 schools in Clarkston, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Clarkston on the city page.
What other schools are in Clarkston Community School District?
Besides Independence Elementary School, Clarkston Community School District also operates Clarkston High School (1,552 students), Clarkston Junior High School (1,007 students), and Sashabaw Middle School (933 students). See the Clarkston Community School District district page for the complete list.