- Enrollment
- 750
- Students per teacher
- 14.7:1
- Resource Index
- 32/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Chelsea, MI
South Meadows Elementary School
Federal NCES profile for South Meadows Elementary School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 33/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 260894004440
👥 S:T ratio 36
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 34
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
South Meadows Elementary School earns 33/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Michigan median.
- #2 of 4
- public schools in Chelsea · Resource Index
- 33
- Resource Index · Typical
- 15.9:1
- students per teacher
- 11.7%
- free-lunch eligible
South Meadows Elementary School has class sizes near the Michigan median. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, South Meadows Elementary School ranks #2 of 4 public schools in Chelsea, MI.
School address
District: Chelsea School District · Michigan
NCES ID 260894004440 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
-2 students YoY
South Meadows Elementary School held near 469 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-2 headcount).
Teacher FTE lost 30.7 → 26.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
-2 students YoY 260894004440 · Chelsea, MI Elementary · SMALL · TRAD
476 enr · 15.9:1 · 11.7% lunch · RII 33
Nearest enrollment peer: Chelsea High School (750 students)
South Meadows Elementary School held near 469 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (-2 headcount). Teacher FTE lost 30.7 → 26.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
South Meadows Elementary School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- Chelsea High S
Chelsea High School
750 students
- Beach Middle S
Beach Middle School
525 students
- North Creek El
North Creek Elementary School
485 students
- This school
South Meadows Elementary School
476 students
What this shows South Meadows Elementary School reports 476 students on the CCD universe file.
How South Meadows Elementary School compares
South Meadows 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 | 15.9:1 | ▼ 9% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 11.7% | ▼ 78% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 476 | top 29% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
15.9:1
Leaner classes than 39% of US schools, a middle-of-the-pack class size.
476
Bigger than 59% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
11.7%
free-lunch eligible
- 78% 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
15.9:1
students per teacher
- 9% below state mean
Top 41% in Michigan - lower ratio than 59% of state schools
Close to the 15:1 benchmark most often cited for individualized attention.
Engagement
26.5%
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
$16,298
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 + 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 89.3%
Two or More 5.0%
Hispanic or Latino 3.2%
African American 1.9%
Asian 0.6%
Largest group: White at 89.3% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 19.9/100
Simpson diversity index - at 19.9, South Meadows Elementary School is less mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Chelsea School District reports $16,298 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How South Meadows Elementary School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Beach Middle School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| North Creek Elementary School | Similar size | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to South Meadows Elementary School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 525
- Students per teacher
- 16.9:1
- Resource Index
- 38/100
- Enrollment
- 485
- Students per teacher
- 18.7:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
Nationwide elementary 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 (~476 students)
Frequently asked questions about South Meadows Elementary School
How many students attend South Meadows Elementary School?
South Meadows Elementary School has 476 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Chelsea, MI. CCD year-over-year: 471 (2022-23) → 469 (2023-24), nearly flat (-2).
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Meadows Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Meadows Elementary School is 15.9:1, which is 9% lower than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 1% higher 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 Meadows Elementary School?
11.7% of students at South Meadows Elementary School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of South Meadows Elementary School?
The largest demographic group at South Meadows Elementary School is White at 89.3% of enrollment, in Chelsea, MI.
What is the Resource Investment Index for South Meadows Elementary School?
South Meadows Elementary School has a Resource Investment Index of 33/100 (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 South Meadows Elementary School rank among public schools in Chelsea?
By Resource Investment Index, South Meadows Elementary School ranks #2 of 4 public schools in Chelsea, 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 Chelsea School District?
Besides South Meadows Elementary School, Chelsea School District also operates Chelsea High School (750 students), Beach Middle School (525 students), and North Creek Elementary School (485 students). See the Chelsea School District district page for the complete list.