Newaygo Elementary School

www.newaygo.net

635 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 4th

School Overview

Velma Matson Upper Elementary School is located in Newaygo, Michigan, and serves as a vital component of the Newaygo Public Schools district. The school is specifically dedicated to supporting students in the intermediate grade levels, typically bridging the gap between early elementary education and the middle school experience. By focusing on this unique developmental stage, the school fosters an environment designed to help students transition toward more academic independence while building strong foundational skills.

The school is deeply integrated into the local Newaygo community, upholding the district's mission to provide a supportive and effective learning environment for its residents. Through its official website, the school maintains clear communication with parents and stakeholders, offering resources regarding its curriculum, staff, and district-wide initiatives. As part of a smaller community, Velma Matson Upper Elementary emphasizes a collaborative atmosphere where student growth, both social and academic, remains the primary goal.

635

Total Students

34.8

Full-Time Teachers

18.2

Student/Teacher Ratio

61.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Newaygo Elementary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	544
Hispanic	65
Black	3
Asian	1
Two or More	19
American Indian	2
Pacific Islander	1

White
544 (85.7%)
Hispanic
65 (10.2%)
Two or More
19 (3.0%)
Black
3 (0.5%)
American Indian
2 (0.3%)
Asian
1 (0.2%)
Pacific Islander
1 (0.2%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Newaygo Public School District
Phone:	(231)652-2100
Website:	http://www.newaygo.net
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 4th
Total Students:	635
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	34.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	18.2
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	365
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	26

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 137

Grade 1 126

Grade 2 134

Grade 3 122

Grade 4 116