C+
Average
68/100

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 04 🏫 Elementary
📍 160 FESSNER RD, Carleton, MI 48117
Overall
C+
68/100 · the blend of everything below
Achievement
C+
Reading 47% · Math 47% proficient · 49th percentile in Michigan
Resources
B
Class size, funding, school size and type

Each score is graded separately against Michigan schools. A school can be strong at moving students forward (growth) without having the highest test scores, or the reverse. How we score schools

68
Repit Score
out of 100
364
Students
enrolled
16.6:1
Student:Teacher
ratio
$13K
Per Student
spending

What Goes Into This Rating

FactorWeightScoreBasis
📚 Academics (reading & math)75%49/100reading 44th percentile, math 54th percentile among Michigan elementary schools (2018–19 state tests)
🏫 Resources (class size, funding, size, type)25%76/100Inputs from NCES school and district data

Students served: 46% students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Compared with Michigan schools serving a similar share of low-income students, this school’s reading and math results are −8 points worse than expected. (Context only; not part of the score.)

The overall Repit Score ranks this blend against every rated school in Michigan. Schools are compared within their state because each state sets its own tests and proficiency bar. How we rate schools

Test Scores & Graduation

📖 Reading proficiency47% (+1 pts vs. state avg 46%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19
➗ Math proficiency47% (+11 pts vs. state avg 36%)
Students scoring proficient on the state test, 2018–19

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Federal reporting rounds small schools to ranges; we show the midpoint. Proficiency standards differ by state, so compare schools within the same state.

How Student Groups Do Here

Share of each group of students scoring proficient on the Michigan state test (2018–19), compared with the same group of students across the state. Differences between groups are shown as reported; they reflect many factors inside and outside school.

StudentsReadingMathvs. same group statewideRank in state for this group
White47%47%reading -8 pts, math -4 pts37th percentile (list)
Low-income32%32%reading -4 pts, math +1 pts36th percentile (list)

Source: U.S. Department of Education EDFacts via the Urban Institute. Groups with fewer than 20 tested students are not shown. Results are achievement (proficiency), not growth; growth by group is not published for individual schools.

School Information

Address 160 FESSNER RD
City Carleton
ZIP Code 48117
District 2601980
NCES School ID 260198003943
Data Year 2024-25

Community Context for 48117

Understanding the community around Joseph C Sterling Elementary School helps evaluate the school environment and neighborhood.

💰 Income & Economy

Median Household Income $75,615
Per Capita Income $39,187
Poverty Rate 7.6%
Households Earning $100K+ 39.3%

🎓 Education Level

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 15.0%
High School or Higher 91.7%

🏠 Housing

Median Home Value $248,300
Median Rent $1,016
Owner-Occupied 87.0%
Renter-Occupied 13.0%
View full data for ZIP 48117 →

Thinking about moving into this school’s area? See what homes and rents actually cost in ZIP 48117 — values, rent, and how it compares to nearby ZIPs. Free, no signup. See 48117 housing costs →

Student Demographics

Enrollment and demographic breakdown for Joseph C Sterling Elementary School.

👫 Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.8%

🌎 Race & Ethnicity

White 91.8%
Hispanic/Latino 4.1%
Two or More Races 2.5%
Black 1.1%
American Indian 0.6%

📋 Enrollment Summary

Total Enrollment 364
Teachers (FTE) 21.9
Student:Teacher Ratio 16.6:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Repit School Score for Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has a Repit School Score of 68 out of 100, earning a grade of C+. The score is based mainly on reading and math proficiency compared with other schools in the state, with class size and funding counting for a smaller share.
How many students attend Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has 364 students enrolled for the 2024-25 school year. The student-to-teacher ratio is 16.6:1.
What grades does Joseph C Sterling Elementary School serve?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School serves grades Pre-K – 04 and is classified as a Elementary. This is a public school.
How much funding does Joseph C Sterling Elementary School receive per student?
Joseph C Sterling Elementary School receives $13,363 in per-pupil spending from its district. This is around the national average.
🏠 Rental Market Around Joseph C Sterling Elementary School in 48117 ▼
Avg Home Value
$344,620
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,206
1-Year Change
+11.9%
% Renters
13.0%

Other Schools in 48117

View all schools and real estate data for 48117 →

About Repit School Scores

Parents choosing a school deserve to see what it actually delivers. Since October 2026 the Repit School Score is built mainly on results:

  • Academics (largest share) — the share of students scoring proficient in reading and math on the state test, ranked against schools of the same level in the same state.
  • Graduation (high schools) — the four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate. Only regular diplomas count; GEDs and certificates of attendance do not.
  • Resources (smaller share) — class size, per-pupil funding, school size and type.

Scores compare schools within their own state, because every state writes its own tests and sets its own proficiency bar. Full methodology

Data sources: NCES CCD 2024-25, U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts (test results & graduation) | Last updated: October 2026