South Elementary School

South Elementary School, a middle-of-the-pack elementary-level community in WATERVLIET, Michigan, part of Watervliet School District, teaches 335 students, covering grades pre-K through 2.

South Elementary School is one of 5 schools operated by Watervliet School District, a district that hosts 1,406 students overall.

On demographics, South Elementary School reports that 75% of the student body identifies as White. The remainder looks like 17% Hispanic, 6% multiracial, 2% Black. Compared to Berrien County overall, the school's racial mix sits in roughly the same range.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 23 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 14.9:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 15.8:1, putting South Elementary School tighter than the state norm the norm. An estimated 67% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. Set against Berrien County (around 55%), the school's rate is noticeably above typical.

Around the school, Berrien County reports that median household income runs about $65,425, roughly 31% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. In all, Berrien County runs 75 public schools (combined enrollment of about 21,027 students), of which South Elementary School is one.

WAY Watervliet High School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 0.8 miles from this campus. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

Geographically, the school is in a town-center area.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count showed little movement: 330 students in 2018 compared to 335 in 2025. Class-load math has fell: from 16.8:1 in 2018 to 14.9:1 in 2025.

On allk12, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around science fair prep, picture-day reminders, and bus-route questions. Posting is open to anyone connected to the school.