Home > Michigan > Alpena County > Alpena

Besser Elementary School

375 Wilson St
Alpena, MI 49707

( shown in map)

Top 50%

www.alpenaschools.com

Serving 493 students in grades Kindergarten-5, Besser Elementary School ranks in the top 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 is 36% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 35%). The percentage of students achieving is 40-44% (which is lower than the Michigan state average of 45%).

The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Michigan state level of 17:1.

Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black).

Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 493 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Minority Enrollment: 11%
: Top 50% in MI
: 36% (Top 50%)
: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
: 35-39% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

School Overview

Besser Elementary School's student population of 493 students has grown by 15% over five school years.

The teacher population of 26 teachers has grown by 23% over five school years.

Grades Offered

Grades Kindergarten-5
(Supplemental Virtual)

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Besser Elementary School
Kind	86
1	85
2	77
3	82
4	85
5	78

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Total Students

493 students

View Data

Total Students Trends Over Years (1987-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School
2023	456
2022	429
2021	419
2020	427
2019	427
2018	435
2017	435
2016	425
2015	352
2014	336
2013	306
2012	343
2011	348
2010	442
2009	434
2008	461
2007	435
2006	452
2005	478
2004	500
2003	457
2002	452
2001	469
2000	472
1999	461
1998	488
1997	473
1996	504
1995	527
1994	502
1993	509
1992	494
1991	522
1990	516
1989	505
1988	512
1987	464

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Gender %

Total Classroom Teachers

26 teachers

View Data

Total Classroom Teachers Trends Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School
2023	26
2022	24
2021	23
2020	21
2019	21
2018	21
2017	21
2016	21
2015	18
2014	17
2013	17
2012	18
2011	19
2010	23
2009	23
2008	23
2007	23
2006	25
2005	24
2004	26
2003	23
2002	24
2001	24
2000	24
1999	25
1998	26
1997	26
1996	26
1995	25
1994	25
1990	32

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Year Founded

1905

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

Campus Size

50 acres

School Motto

Truth and Honor

School Mascot

Wild Boars

School Rankings

Besser Elementary School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,025 schools in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).

The of Besser Elementary School is 0.21, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.

This School

State Level (MI)

#1483 out of 3025 schools
(Top 50%)

View Data

Overall School Rank Trends Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School
2023	#1483
2022	#1726
2021	#1395
2019	#1963
2018	#1488
2017	#1722
2016	#2207
2015	#1189
2014	#1469
2013	#1065
2012	#817

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36%

35%

View Data

Math Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	36%	35%	28%
2022	27%	34%	27%
2021	32%	36%	26%
2019	33%	40%	33%
2018	28%	37%	29%
2017	38%	39%	34%
2016	29%	38%	34%
2015	42%	37%	34%
2014	37%	41%	34%
2013	42%	41%	34%
2012	37%	37%	25%

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40-44%

45%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2011-2022)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2022	42%	45%	38%
2021	47%	48%	38%
2019	41%	49%	45%
2018	42%	43%	29%
2017	45%	49%	47%
2016	37%	50%	49%
2015	52%	49%	53%
2014	67%	67%	71%
2013	72%	65%	66%
2012	77%	64%	68%
2011	92%	80%	86%

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35-39%

38%

View Data

Science Proficiency Comparison Over Years (2021-2022)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2022	37%	38%	35%
2021	17%	23%	17%

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Student-Teacher Ratio

19:1

17:1

View Data

Student-Teacher Ratio Comparison Over Years (1990-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	18:1	17:1	18:1
2022	18:1	17:1	19:1
2021	18:1	17:1	18:1
2020	20:1	18:1	19:1
2019	20:1	18:1	19:1
2018	21:1	18:1	19:1
2017	21:1	18:1	19:1
2016	20:1	18:1	19:1
2015	20:1	18:1	18:1
2014	20:1	18:1	20:1
2013	18:1	18:1	20:1
2012	19:1	18:1	20:1
2011	18:1	18:1	19:1
2010	19:1	18:1	20:1
2009	19:1	18:1	20:1
2008	20:1	18:1	20:1
2007	19:1	19:1	19:1
2006	18:1	18:1	19:1
2005	20:1	18:1	19:1
2004	19:1	19:1	20:1
2003	20:1	19:1	19:1
2002	19:1	18:1	18:1
2001	20:1	18:1	19:1
2000	20:1	18:1	18:1
1999	18:1	19:1	18:1
1998	19:1	19:1	19:1
1997	18:1	19:1	19:1
1996	20:1	20:1	20:1
1995	21:1	20:1	22:1
1994	20:1	20:1	21:1
1990	16:1	15:1	16:1

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American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1994-2022)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2022	1%	1%
2021	1%	1%
2013	1%	2%
2012	1%	1%	1%
2009	1%	1%
2007	1%	2%
2006	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2000	1%	1%
1999	1%	1%
1996	1%	1%	1%
1995	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%

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Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1992-2021)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2021	1%	3%
2020	1%	3%
2019	1%	3%
2016	1%	3%
2014	1%	3%	1%
2012	1%	3%	1%
2011	1%	3%	1%
2010	3%	3%	2%
2008	1%	3%	2%
2007	1%	3%	2%
2006	1%	2%	2%
2005	1%	2%	1%
2004	2%	2%	2%
2003	1%	2%	1%
2002	1%	2%	1%
2001	1%	2%	2%
2000	1%	2%	1%
1999	1%	2%	1%
1998	1%	2%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%	1%
1995	1%	1%	1%
1994	1%	1%
1993	1%	1%	1%
1992	1%	1%

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Hispanic

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1988-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	3%	9%	3%
2022	3%	9%	2%
2021	1%	8%	2%
2020	3%	8%	2%
2019	3%	8%	2%
2018	3%	8%	2%
2017	3%	8%	2%
2016	2%	7%	2%
2015	2%	7%	3%
2014	1%	7%	1%
2008	1%	5%
2003	1%	4%
2002	1%	4%
2001	1%	4%
1999	1%	3%	1%
1998	1%	3%
1997	1%	3%
1996	1%	3%
1995	1%	3%	1%
1994	1%	2%
1993	1%	2%	1%
1992	1%	2%
1990	1%	2%
1989	1%	2%
1988	1%	2%

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Black

18%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1989-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	1%	18%	1%
2020	1%	18%	1%
2019	1%	18%	1%
2013	1%	18%	1%
2011	1%	19%
2009	1%	20%	1%
2006	1%	20%
2003	1%	20%	1%
2002	1%	20%	1%
2001	1%	19%
2000	1%	19%	1%
1999	1%	19%	1%
1998	1%	19%	1%
1997	2%	18%	1%
1996	1%	18%
1995	1%	18%
1994	2%	17%
1993	2%	17%
1992	2%	17%
1991	4%	17%
1989	1%	18%

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White

89%

63%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	91%	64%	92%
2022	92%	64%	93%
2021	93%	65%	94%
2020	91%	66%	94%
2019	91%	66%	94%
2018	94%	66%	96%
2017	94%	66%	96%
2016	94%	67%	96%
2015	97%	68%	61%
2014	98%	69%	96%
2013	96%	69%	96%
2012	97%	69%	97%
2011	97%	70%	98%
2010	97%	70%	97%
2009	97%	71%	97%
2008	97%	71%	98%
2007	98%	71%	98%
2006	97%	73%	98%
2005	99%	72%	98%
2004	98%	73%	98%
2003	97%	72%	98%
2002	96%	73%	98%
2001	97%	74%	98%
2000	97%	75%	98%
1999	96%	75%	97%
1998	96%	75%	97%
1997	96%	76%	98%
1996	96%	76%	98%
1995	96%	77%	98%
1994	95%	79%	100%
1993	94%	79%	97%
1992	96%	79%	98%
1991	80%	78%	98%

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Hawaiian

n/a

Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison Over Years (2012-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	5%	5%	4%
2022	4%	5%	4%
2021	4%	5%	3%
2020	4%	4%	3%
2019	4%	4%	3%
2018	3%	4%	2%
2017	3%	4%	2%
2016	3%	3%	2%
2015	1%	3%	3%
2013	2%	2%	1%
2012	1%	2%

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All Ethnic Groups

0.21

0.56

View Data

Diversity Score Comparison Over Years (1991-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	0.17	0.55	0.14
2022	0.15	0.55	0.14
2021	0.13	0.54	0.12
2020	0.17	0.53	0.11
2019	0.17	0.53	0.11
2018	0.12	0.53	0.08
2017	0.12	0.53	0.08
2016	0.12	0.52	0.09
2015	0.06	0.50	0.27
2014	0.05	0.50	0.09
2013	0.08	0.49	0.08
2012	0.06	0.49	0.07
2011	0.06	0.48	0.05
2010	0.08	0.47	0.05
2009	0.06	0.46	0.06
2008	0.06	0.46	0.05
2007	0.04	0.46	0.05
2006	0.06	0.43	0.05
2005	0.02	0.44	0.04
2004	0.04	0.43	0.04
2003	0.06	0.44	0.04
2002	0.07	0.42	0.04
2001	0.06	0.42	0.04
2000	0.06	0.40	0.04
1999	0.07	0.40	0.05
1998	0.08	0.40	0.05
1997	0.08	0.39	0.04
1996	0.08	0.39	0.04
1995	0.08	0.37	0.04
1994	0.09	0.35	0.02
1993	0.12	0.35	0.04
1992	0.07	0.35	0.04
1991	0.36	0.37	0.05

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Participates in the

Yes

Eligible for

52%

50%

View Data

Free Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (1993-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	49%	49%	52%
2022	47%	47%	49%
2021	44%	46%	49%
2020	46%	45%	48%
2019	46%	45%	48%
2018	41%	40%	40%
2017	41%	40%	40%
2016	42%	40%	43%
2015	39%	41%	43%
2014	44%	43%	42%
2013	42%	42%	43%
2012	46%	42%	44%
2011	45%	41%	42%
2010	40%	40%	39%
2009	34%	35%	34%
2008	31%	31%	30%
2007	33%	30%	29%
2006	35%	30%	29%
2005	30%	28%	28%
2004	30%	27%	28%
2003	30%	25%	27%
2002	29%	25%	26%
2001	29%	24%	24%
2000	26%	25%	24%
1999	28%	25%	25%
1998	28%	26%	26%
1997	27%	26%	25%
1996	29%	25%	25%
1995	28%	25%	25%
1994	32%	23%	25%
1993	37%	25%	29%

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Eligible for

View Data

Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Comparison Over Years (2003-2023)
Year	Besser Elementary School	Michigan	Alpena Public Schools
2023	6%	4%	7%
2022	5%	4%	6%
2021	9%	4%	8%
2020	8%	5%	9%
2019	8%	5%	9%
2018	9%	6%	11%
2017	9%	6%	11%
2016	9%	6%	12%
2015	10%	6%	10%
2014	4%	6%	7%
2013	5%	6%	8%
2012	6%	5%	8%
2011	8%	5%	8%
2010	7%	6%	9%
2009	9%	7%	9%
2008	8%	7%	11%
2007	9%	6%	9%
2006	7%	7%	11%
2005	6%	6%	11%
2004	9%	6%	11%
2003	7%	6%	10%

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School Statewide Testing

View Education Department Test Scores

School District Name

Alpena Public Schools

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

School Notes

School Mascot: Wild Boars

Profile last updated: 02/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Besser Elementary School's ranking?

Besser Elementary School is ranked #1483 out of 3,025 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Michigan.

What schools are Besser Elementary School often compared to?

Besser Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Ella M White Elementary School, Lincoln Elementary School by visitors of our site.

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

36% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 35% MI state average), while 40-44% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MI state average).

How many students attend Besser Elementary School?

493 students attend Besser Elementary School.

What is the racial composition of the student body?

89% of Besser Elementary School students are White, 5% of students are Two or more races, 4% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.

What is the student-teacher ratio of Besser Elementary School?

Besser Elementary School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Michigan state average of 17:1.

What grades does Besser Elementary School offer ?

Besser Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-5 (Supplemental Virtual).

What school district is Besser Elementary School part of?

Besser Elementary School is part of Alpena Public Schools.

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Quick Facts (2025-26)

Grades: Kindergarten-5
Enrollment: 493 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19:1
Minority Enrollment: 11%
: Top 50%
: 36% (Top 50%)
: 40-44% (Btm 50%)
: 35-39% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education