Joseph C Sterling Elementary School (Ranked Top 10% for 2026)

160 Fessner Rd
Carleton, MI 48117

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Top 10%

Tel: (734) 654-6846

sterling.airportschools.com

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SAVE SCHOOL

Serving 370 students in grades Prekindergarten-4, Joseph C Sterling Elementary School ranks in the top 10% of all schools in Michigan for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 10%, and reading proficiency is top 10%).

The percentage of students achieving is 60-64% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving is 65-69% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 45%).

The student-teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Michigan state level of 16:1.

Minority enrollment is 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black).

Quick Facts (2026)

School Type: Magnet School
Grades: Prekindergarten-4
Enrollment: 370 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 8%
: Top 10% in MI
: 60-64% (Top 10%)
: 65-69% (Top 10%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Michigan for:

School Overview

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School's student population of 370 students has grown by 35% over five school years.

The teacher population of 22 teachers has grown by 22% over five school years.

School Type

Magnet School

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-4
(Supplemental Virtual)

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Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
Kind	73
1	73
2	75
3	72
4	77

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Total Students

370 students

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Total Students Trends Over Years (1989-2025)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
2025	370
2024	364
2023	320
2022	288
2021	274
2020	268
2019	268
2018	257
2017	257
2016	248
2015	254
2014	255
2013	337
2012	373
2011	369
2010	338
2009	316
2008	324
2007	326
2006	312
2005	316
2004	334
2003	341
2002	292
2001	372
2000	374
1999	367
1998	389
1997	381
1996	358
1995	360
1994	355
1993	334
1992	324
1991	335
1990	331
1989	307

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Total Classroom Teachers

22 teachers

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Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1995-2025)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
2025	22
2024	22
2023	20
2022	18
2021	18
2020	17
2019	17
2018	17
2017	17
2016	17
2015	14
2014	17
2013	20
2012	21
2011	17
2010	17
2009	17
2008	17
2007	14
2006	15
2005	15
2004	15
2003	16
2002	14
2001	17
2000	17
1999	18
1998	17
1997	15
1996	16
1995	14

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Year Founded

1905

School Calendar

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Last Day of School

Mon. Jun 15, 2026

School Rankings

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School ranks within the top 10% of all 3,025 schools in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is 0.15, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.57. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (MI)

#229 out of 3025 schools
(Top 10%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School
2023	#229
2022	#199
2021	#288
2019	#1366
2018	#997
2017	#1381
2016	#639
2015	#617
2014	#348
2013	#1232
2012	#1141

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60-64%

35%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2023	62%	35%	36%
2022	67%	34%	38%
2021	62%	36%	38%
2019	47%	40%	39%
2018	47%	37%	34%
2017	57%	39%	38%
2016	72%	38%	38%
2015	67%	37%	37%
2014	72%	41%	37%
2013	42%	41%	31%
2012	44%	37%	28%

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65-69%

45%

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Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2022	67%	45%	47%
2021	62%	48%	46%
2019	47%	49%	50%
2018	47%	43%	34%
2017	37%	49%	43%
2016	52%	50%	42%
2015	52%	49%	44%
2014	77%	67%	67%
2013	67%	65%	59%
2012	66%	64%	59%
2011	87%	80%	76%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

16:1

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Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1995-2025)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2025	17:1	16:1
2024	17:1	17:1	18:1
2023	16:1	17:1	18:1
2022	16:1	17:1	19:1
2021	15:1	17:1	19:1
2020	16:1	18:1	20:1
2019	16:1	18:1	20:1
2018	15:1	18:1	19:1
2017	15:1	18:1	19:1
2016	15:1	18:1	20:1
2015	18:1	18:1	20:1
2014	15:1	18:1	19:1
2013	17:1	18:1	19:1
2012	17:1	18:1	19:1
2011	22:1	18:1	21:1
2010	20:1	18:1	19:1
2009	19:1	18:1	19:1
2008	19:1	18:1	19:1
2007	23:1	19:1	21:1
2006	21:1	18:1	18:1
2005	21:1	19:1	19:1
2004	22:1	19:1	20:1
2003	21:1	19:1	20:1
2002	21:1	18:1	20:1
2001	22:1	18:1	20:1
2000	22:1	19:1	20:1
1999	20:1	19:1	20:1
1998	23:1	19:1	20:1
1997	25:1	19:1	22:1
1996	22:1	20:1	22:1
1995	26:1	20:1	23:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2024	1%	1%
2023	1%	1%
2018	1%	1%	1%
2017	1%	1%	1%
2014	1%	1%	2%
2013	1%	2%	1%
2012	1%	1%	2%
2011	1%	1%	2%
2010	1%	2%	1%
2009	2%	1%	1%
2008	1%	1%	1%
2007	1%	2%	1%
2006	1%	1%	1%
2005	1%	2%	1%
2004	2%	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%	1%
1998	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%	1%
1994	3%	1%	2%
1993	3%	1%	3%
1992	5%	1%	5%
1991	12%	1%	9%
1990	2%	1%	9%
1989	2%	1%	3%
1988	2%	1%	2%

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Asian

n/a

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Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1993-2011)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2011	1%	3%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%	1%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
2001	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1993	1%	1%

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Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2024)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2024	4%	9%	6%
2023	6%	9%	5%
2022	5%	9%	5%
2021	3%	8%	5%
2020	6%	8%	5%
2019	4%	8%	5%
2018	4%	8%	4%
2017	4%	8%	4%
2016	4%	7%	4%
2015	2%	7%	4%
2014	3%	7%	4%
2013	3%	6%	5%
2012	1%	6%	3%
2011	2%	6%	3%
2010	2%	5%	3%
2009	3%	5%	3%
2008	4%	5%	3%
2007	2%	4%	3%
2006	4%	4%	2%
2005	4%	4%	2%
2004	2%	4%	2%
2003	3%	4%	2%
2002	2%	4%	3%
2001	1%	4%	2%
2000	2%	3%	3%
1999	1%	3%	1%
1998	2%	3%	2%
1997	2%	3%	1%
1996	2%	3%	1%
1995	1%	3%	1%
1994	1%	2%

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Black

18%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2024	1%	18%	2%
2023	1%	18%	2%
2022	1%	18%	1%
2021	1%	18%	4%
2020	1%	18%	4%
2019	1%	18%	4%
2018	2%	18%	4%
2017	2%	18%	4%
2016	1%	18%	4%
2015	1%	18%	5%
2014	2%	18%	5%
2013	4%	18%	5%
2012	3%	19%	5%
2011	1%	19%	4%
2010	3%	20%	5%
2009	3%	20%	4%
2008	3%	20%	4%
2007	4%	20%	4%
2006	3%	20%	4%
2005	3%	20%	4%
2004	2%	20%	4%
2003	2%	20%	4%
2002	1%	20%	4%
2001	3%	19%	4%
2000	8%	19%	4%
1999	8%	19%	4%
1998	9%	19%	4%
1997	6%	18%	4%
1996	9%	18%	4%
1995	7%	18%	4%
1994	8%	17%	5%
1993	8%	17%	4%
1992	9%	17%	4%
1991	8%	17%	5%
1990	7%	18%	4%
1989	6%	18%	5%
1988	6%	18%	4%

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White

92%

63%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2024)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2024	92%	63%	89%
2023	91%	64%	90%
2022	92%	64%	90%
2021	95%	65%	91%
2020	92%	66%	90%
2019	94%	66%	90%
2018	93%	66%	91%
2017	93%	66%	91%
2016	95%	67%	91%
2015	97%	68%	91%
2014	94%	69%	89%
2013	92%	69%	89%
2012	94%	69%	90%
2011	95%	70%	91%
2010	93%	70%	91%
2009	91%	71%	92%
2008	91%	71%	92%
2007	92%	71%	91%
2006	91%	73%	93%
2005	90%	72%	93%
2004	93%	73%	93%
2003	94%	72%	94%
2002	96%	73%	93%
2001	94%	74%	93%
2000	90%	75%	93%
1999	91%	75%	95%
1998	87%	75%	94%
1997	92%	76%	95%
1996	89%	76%	94%
1995	91%	77%	94%
1994	88%	79%	93%
1993	87%	79%	92%
1992	84%	79%	90%
1991	79%	78%	85%
1990	90%	78%	86%
1989	92%	78%	91%
1988	91%	78%	93%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2019-2024)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2024	2%	5%	3%
2023	1%	5%	3%
2022	2%	5%	4%
2021	1%	5%
2020	1%	4%	1%
2019	1%	4%	1%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.15

0.57

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1989-2025)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2025	0.15	0.56
2024	0.15	0.56	0.20
2023	0.17	0.55	0.20
2022	0.15	0.55	0.19
2021	0.10	0.54	0.17
2020	0.15	0.53	0.19
2019	0.12	0.53	0.19
2018	0.13	0.53	0.17
2017	0.13	0.53	0.17
2016	0.10	0.52	0.16
2015	0.06	0.50	0.18
2014	0.12	0.50	0.20
2013	0.15	0.49	0.21
2012	0.12	0.49	0.19
2011	0.10	0.48	0.17
2010	0.13	0.47	0.17
2009	0.17	0.46	0.16
2008	0.17	0.46	0.16
2007	0.15	0.46	0.16
2006	0.17	0.43	0.13
2005	0.19	0.44	0.13
2004	0.14	0.43	0.13
2003	0.12	0.44	0.12
2002	0.08	0.42	0.13
2001	0.12	0.42	0.14
2000	0.19	0.40	0.13
1999	0.17	0.40	0.11
1998	0.23	0.40	0.11
1997	0.15	0.39	0.10
1996	0.20	0.39	0.11
1995	0.17	0.37	0.13
1994	0.22	0.35	0.12
1993	0.24	0.35	0.16
1992	0.28	0.35	0.19
1991	0.36	0.37	0.27
1990	0.18	0.36	0.24
1989	0.15	0.36	0.16

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

42%

45%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1995-2025)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2025	42%	45%
2024	44%	50%	49%
2023	40%	49%	50%
2022	39%	47%	46%
2021	39%	46%	47%
2020	41%	45%	46%
2019	41%	45%	46%
2018	42%	40%	38%
2017	42%	40%	38%
2016	39%	40%	37%
2015	41%	41%	41%
2014	40%	43%	41%
2013	37%	42%	38%
2012	39%	42%	38%
2011	37%	41%	36%
2010	36%	40%	35%
2009	34%	35%	32%
2008	31%	31%	26%
2007	29%	30%	26%
2006	28%	30%	26%
2005	22%	28%	21%
2004	20%	27%	21%
2003	20%	25%	18%
2002	16%	25%	16%
2001	13%	24%	15%
2000	17%	25%	15%
1999	20%	25%	15%
1998	19%	26%	16%
1997	19%	26%	15%
1996	21%	25%	15%
1995	21%	25%	15%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2001-2025)
Year	Joseph C Sterling Elementary School	Michigan	Airport Community Schools
2025	4%	4%
2024	3%	4%	4%
2023	4%	4%	4%
2022	4%	4%	3%
2021	3%	4%	4%
2020	5%	5%	8%
2019	9%	5%	8%
2018	7%	6%	6%
2017	7%	6%	6%
2016	5%	6%	6%
2015	7%	6%	8%
2014	8%	6%	8%
2013	5%	6%	6%
2012	7%	5%	5%
2011	7%	5%	6%
2010	6%	6%	7%
2009	7%	7%	6%
2008	4%	7%	4%
2007	9%	6%	8%
2006	7%	7%	7%
2005	7%	6%	5%
2004	10%	6%	6%
2003	5%	6%	6%
2002	8%	6%	8%
2001	4%	6%	5%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Airport Community Schools

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joseph C Sterling Elementary School's ranking?

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is ranked #229 out of 3,025 schools, which ranks it among the top 10% of public schools in Michigan.

What schools are Joseph C Sterling Elementary School often compared to?

Joseph C Sterling Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Loren Eyler Elementary School, Fred W Ritter Elementary School by visitors of our site.

What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?

60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% MI state average), while 65-69% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MI state average).

How many students attend Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?

370 students attend Joseph C Sterling Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

92% of Joseph C Sterling Elementary School students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Joseph C Sterling Elementary School?

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Michigan state average of 16:1.

What grades does Joseph C Sterling Elementary School offer ?

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-4 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is Joseph C Sterling Elementary School part of?

Joseph C Sterling Elementary School is part of Airport Community Schools.