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GreatSchools Rating

Whitmore Lake Elementary School

Public | K-4 | 424 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 3 ratings
2011:
Based on 1 rating
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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13 reviews of this school


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Posted September 19, 2012

Highly recommended! I chose WLES as our school-of-choice when I moved our family to Michigan a few years ago and couldn't be happier with the results. Excellent programs prepare the children for middle school and beyond. Diversity could be a bit broader, but that's a product of the surrounding area rather than school decisions.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted June 11, 2012

Before the year of 2012 the school was perfect but know (2012) something has changed, the staff and some teachers don't respect the students and parents.


Posted June 11, 2012

We would like to thank you our old principal Mrs.Waters. She build a strong school she appreciated everybody. I would like o say thank you to the teachers who taught my sisters and brother. So far, our new principal, Mrs.Krista Bethke she has been trying hard we would like to say good luck. Have a safe summer!!! ----Alexandra (old student)


Posted November 21, 2011

I have 4 kids going to WLPS. Three of them currently in Elementary and one went through all classes of Elementary to the half way of the Middle school. Big majority of teachers and administration are very friendly and careful. They're looking very careful to individual needs of every each of my kids and placed them to appropriate level. We moved to a different school district 5 years ago, but still don't want to change the school even if we have to travel to school and back 5 times a day (2 times in the morning and 3 times in the afternoon). We're paying over a $200 per month for the gas along, but still brining our kids to WLPS school. They have great music program, great Principal, Music and Math teachers in the Middle school and outstanding teachers and administration in Elementary school. Being in Brighton school district and close to South Lyon schools we're still going to WLPS. Great school and I recommend it to everybody!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 16, 2010

I am a local parent with 3 children in a Charter School 22 miles away. Several years ago WLSchools were not desirable. I am considering bringing my children locally. However, I have heard there was a huge teacher turnover. How is this affecting the WL schools rating??


Posted October 13, 2010

I feel that this is a good school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 23, 2010

It is a friendly place, with a wonderful staff and terrific people!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 9, 2010

WLES truly cares about what's best for INDIVIDUAL kids! As a school of choice family we chose WLES because they listened to our concerns about the right placement for our daughter. She attended a Montessori preschool and had started reading/doing math at 4yrs old. When we brought our concerns to the principal, Mrs. Waters, she LISTENED, recommended testing and had a summer meeting with the educational team to discuss the results! Ultimately, they placed her in first grade to meet her individual needs. In addition, the multi-age program lets kids work at their own level and feels like a family. The 1st/2nd students work with 3rd/4th students for a variety activities. My child has a 4th grade buddy that she adores! The teachers (Striz/Davis) are AMAZING! If you're looking for a small school that really cares about your child and will listen to you as a parent, choose WLES!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 16, 2009

I am very pleased with Whitmore Lake Elementary School. It has dedicated and devoted teachers who invest in each child s life. They designed individual teaching plans to meet the needs of each child. My daughter has learning disabilities. They are real encouragers giving her confidence to do her best. My child loves school, she loves her teachers and Mrs. Waters, the principal. My husband is amazed how the children run to give her hugs. How much different this is than when we went to school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted March 28, 2009

A wonderful school with an even better staff! I attended Whitmore Lake as a child, and it's fun to see some of the same teachers there today teaching my children. Mrs. Waters, the now elementary principal was my own principal while I was in middle school. She was very good to me, and although I have never told her, played a big part in molding me into who I became. My three children have all thrived here and I am proud to be a WLPS parent!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 16, 2008

Great School, for sure! Our oldest had Mr. Withers for fourth grade and excelled. He was an excellent teacher and a great male role model for our son. Our kindergartener has Mrs. Taulbee and is happy so far. Lots of great family events and opportunities to get involved! Another perk- supplies were provided! provided!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 11, 2008

Very good school, excellent teachers. Very student focused, but you have to be involved in order to advocate for your child and tocommunicate with teachers
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 29, 2008

Whitmore Lake Elementary is a pretty good school. My daughter will be entering second grade next year. I was really pleased with the teachers she has had thus far. We started off with Mrs. Andersen, in Young 5's (this was a great program). Ms. Guftson for Kindergarten, and finally Mrs. Allen for First (she is the best First grade teacher there is, my daughter is reading at a second grade level). All in all, it's a good school.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.

Grade level

Math

The state average for Math was 41% in 2013.

71 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
59%

2012

 
 
46%

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
100%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 66% in 2013.

71 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
65%

2012

 
 
69%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
94%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 45% in 2013.

84 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
52%

2012

 
 
60%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
91%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 68% in 2013.

84 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
71%

2012

 
 
77%

2011

 
 
82%

2010

 
 
92%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 47% in 2013.

84 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
52%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 99% 71%
Asian/Pacific Islander 1% 3%
Black 1% 20%
American Indian/Alaska Native N/A 1%
Hispanic N/A 5%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 38%N/A42%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 18N/A18
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

School basics

School Leader's name
  • Mr. Michael Benczarski
Fax number
  • (734) 449-9376

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Special education
School leaders can update this information here.
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1077 Barker Rd
Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
Website: Click here
Phone: (734) 449-2051

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