- Enrollment
- 442
- Students per teacher
- 18.4:1
- Resource Index
- 17/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Ithaca, MI
South Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 24/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 261958005622
👥 S:T ratio 42
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Elementary School earns 24/100 on the Resource Investment Index, even as it posts class sizes smaller than 72% of Michigan schools.
- #1 of 3
- public schools in Ithaca · Resource Index
- 24
- Resource Index · Lower
- 14.6:1
- small classes for Michigan
- 50.0%
- free-lunch eligible
South Elementary School has class sizes smaller than 72% of Michigan schools. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Elementary School ranks #1 of 3 public schools in Ithaca, MI.
School address
District: Ithaca Public Schools · Michigan
NCES ID 261958005622 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-16 students YoY
South Elementary School shrank from 248 students in 2022-23 to 232 in 2023-24 (-6.5%).
Teacher FTE added 16.0 → 17.8 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Shrinking CCD campus
-16 students YoY 261958005622 · Ithaca, MI Other · SMALL · TRAD
234 enr · 14.6:1 · 50.0% lunch · RII 24
Nearest enrollment peer: Ithaca High School (442 students)
South Elementary School shrank from 248 students in 2022-23 to 232 in 2023-24 (-6.5%). Teacher FTE added 16.0 → 17.8 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
South Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Ithaca High Sc
Ithaca High School
442 students
- North Elementa
North Elementary School
295 students
- This school
South Elementary School
234 students
What this shows South Elementary School reports 234 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Elementary School compares
South Elementary School is a shrinking campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 14.6:1 | ▼ 17% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 50.0% | ▼ 8% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 234 | top 71% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
14.6:1
Leaner classes than 51% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
234
Bigger than 23% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
50.0%
free-lunch eligible
- 8% below the Michigan average of 54.3%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
14.6:1
students per teacher
- 17% below state mean
Top 28% in Michigan - lower ratio than 72% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
60.7%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,321
per pupil, district-wide
- below 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 + 0 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 86.3%
Hispanic or Latino 10.3%
Two or More 2.1%
African American 0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.4%
Largest group: White at 86.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 24.4/100
Simpson diversity index - at 24.4, South Elementary School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Ithaca Public Schools reports $14,321 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca High School | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| North Elementary School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 295
- Students per teacher
- 21.1:1
- Resource Index
- 15/100
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 (~234 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Elementary School
How many students attend South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has 234 students enrolled. It is a public school in Ithaca, MI. CCD year-over-year: 248 (2022-23) → 232 (2023-24), down 16.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Elementary School is 14.6:1, which is 17% lower than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 7% 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 South Elementary School?
50.0% of students at South Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Elementary School is White at 86.3% of enrollment, in Ithaca, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Elementary School?
South Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 24/100 (lower 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 South Elementary School rank among public schools in Ithaca?
By Resource Investment Index, South Elementary School ranks #1 of 3 public schools in Ithaca, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking.
What other schools are in Ithaca Public Schools?
Besides South Elementary School, Ithaca Public Schools also operates Ithaca High School (442 students) and North Elementary School (295 students). See the Ithaca Public Schools district page for the complete list.