Public School Review - Established 2003

Ballard Elementary School vs. Mars Elementary School

Should you attend Ballard Elementary School or Mars Elementary School? Visitors to our site frequently compare these two schools. Compare their rankings, test scores, reviews and more to help you determine which school is the best choice for you.
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School Overview

School
Ballard Elementary School
1601 W Chicago Rd
Niles, MI 49120
: 
5/
10
Bottom 50%
Mars Elementary School
1 Sylvester Ave
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
Overview
Serving 576 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Ballard Elementary School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Michigan for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 38% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 33% (which is lower than the Michigan state average of 45%).
The student-teacher ratio of 21:1 is higher than the Michigan state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black).
Mars Elementary School serves 369 students in grades Prekindergarten-2. 
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Michigan state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Grades Offered
PK-5
PK-2
Total Students
576 students
369 students
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Ballard Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of students at Mars Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
% Male | % Female
51% | 49%
54% | 46%
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Ballard Elementary School.
This pie chart depicts the gender distribution at Mars Elementary School.
Total Classroom Teachers
28 teachers
28 teachers
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Ballard Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart illustrates the total number of teachers at Mars Elementary School over the years, with the most recent data from the 2023-24 school year.
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
13:1
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Niles Community Schools and the state of Michigan, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the student-teacher ratio at Mars Elementary School with the average student-teacher ratio for public schools in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and the state of Michigan, utilizing data from multiple years and featuring the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Test Scores

#1700 out of 3025 schools in MI
(Bottom 50%)
n/a
This chart illustrates the overall school ranking of Ballard Elementary School, encompassing data from multiple years, including the most recent figures from the 2022-23 school year.
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38%
(Top 50% in MI)
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This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ballard Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Math with the average percentages observed in the Niles Community Schools and Michigan public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2022-23 school year.
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33%
(Bottom 50% in MI)(21-22 School Year Data)
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This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ballard Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in RLA (Reading and Language Arts) with the average percentages observed in the Niles Community Schools and Michigan public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
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35-39%
(Top 50% in MI)(21-22 School Year Data)
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This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students at Ballard Elementary School who have achieved proficiency or higher in Science with the average percentages observed in the Niles Community Schools and Michigan public schools over several years, with the most recent data from the 2021-22 school year.
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Students by Grade

Students by Grade
This chart displays the students of Ballard Elementary School by grade.
This chart displays the students of Mars Elementary School by grade.
Kindergarten Students
135
127
Grade 1 Students
81
123
Grade 2 Students
96
119
Grade 3 Students
96
-
Grade 4 Students
85
-
Grade 5 Students
83
-

Students by Ethnicity

% American Indian
1%
1%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Niles Community Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as American Indian at Mars Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as American Indian in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Asian
n/a
4%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Niles Community Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2021-22 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Asian at Mars Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Asian in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hispanic
15%
16%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Niles Community Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Hispanic at Mars Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Hispanic in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Black
11%
29%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Niles Community Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as Black at Mars Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as Black in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% White
60%
41%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Niles Community Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as White at Mars Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as White in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
13%
8%
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Ballard Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Niles Community Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
This chart presents a comparison of the percentage of students who identify as two or more races at Mars Elementary School, versus the percentage of public school students who identify as two or more races in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and in Michigan, utilizing data collected over several years with the most recent figures pertaining to the 2023-24 school year.
0.59
0.72
This chart showcases the diversity score of Ballard Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Niles Community Schools and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the diversity score of Mars Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average diversity score for public schools in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.

Additional Information

Eligible for Free Lunch
75%
63%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Ballard Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Niles Community Schools and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for free lunch at Mars Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for free lunch in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
5%
3%
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Ballard Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Niles Community Schools and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
This chart showcases the percentage of students eligible for reduced-price lunch at Mars Elementary School, juxtaposed with the average percentage of public school students eligible for reduced-price lunch in the Berrien Springs Public Schools and Michigan, utilizing data that spans several years and includes the most recent figures from the 2023-24 school year.
 
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