Top Rankings
Niles Community Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 2,108 students in Niles Community Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Niles Community Schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
11 Schools
2,540 Schools
# Students
3,107 Students
957,552 Students
# Teachers
161 Teachers
59,784 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Niles Community Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 845 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 50% has decreased from 69% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#324 out of 862 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
38%
Graduation Rate
50%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.54
0.58
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
11%
9%
% Black
12%
19%
% White
66%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,692 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,604. The school district revenue/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,952 is less than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$49 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$43 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,692
$18,604
Spending / Student
$13,952
$17,782
Best Niles Community Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Eastside Connections School
Magnet School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Tyler St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 682-2585
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 682-2585
Gr: K-8 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Southside Special Educ School
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1450 Silverbrook Ave
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-0421
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-0421
Gr: 4-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #33.
Howardellis Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2788 Mannix St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-4633
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-4633
Gr: K-5 | 529 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #44.
Ballard Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1601 W Chicago Rd
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-5900
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-5900
Gr: PK-5 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #55.
Ring Lardner Middle School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
801 N 17th St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-6610
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-6610
Gr: 6-8 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
Way Niles
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 Tyler St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 633-0736
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 633-0736
Gr: 6-12 | 95 students Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: n/an/a
1 Tyler St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-0736
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-0736
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
