Top Rankings
Niles Community Schools School District 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 2025 school year, there are 7 public elementary schools serving 2,318 students in Niles Community Schools School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Niles Community Schools School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 41% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 34% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
11 Schools
2,544 Schools
# Students
3,292 Students
953,641 Students
# Teachers
168 Teachers
58,885 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
19:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Niles Community Schools School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 851 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 66% has decreased from 69% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#365 out of 866 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
38%
Graduation Rate
66%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.57
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
11%
9%
% Black
11%
18%
% White
66%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
10%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,810 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,168 is less than the state median of $17,693. 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
$14,810
$18,510
Spending / Student
$13,168
$17,693
Best Niles Community Schools School District Public Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Eastside Connections School
Magnet School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1 Tyler St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 682-2585
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 682-2585
Grades: K-8
| 430 students
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
Grades: 4-12
| 55 students
Rank: #33.
Howardellis Elementary School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2788 Mannix St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-4633
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-4633
Grades: K-5
| 598 students
Rank: #44.
Ballard Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1601 W Chicago Rd
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-5900
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-5900
Grades: PK-5
| 576 students
Rank: #55.
Ring Lardner Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
801 N 17th St
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-6610
Niles, MI 49120
(269) 683-6610
Grades: 6-8
| 537 students
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
Grades: 6-12
| 108 students
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.