Sterling Elementary School

Sterling Elementary School is one of the compact K-5 schools in STERLING, Michigan, overseen by Standish-Sterling Community Schools, with 168 students on its rolls from grades pre-K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 369 students per school, that is 54% leaner than typical.

Sterling Elementary School is one of 3 schools operated by Standish-Sterling Community Schools, a district that serves 1,482 students overall.

Demographically, Sterling Elementary School shows that nearly all students (91%) are White. Beyond that, the school records 5% multiracial, 3% Hispanic. That mix tracks the wider county fairly closely.

On the resource side, Staff filings list 12 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 14.2:1 students per teacher. The state averages around 15.8:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. Around 60% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Arenac County) reports that median household earnings sit near $58,811, 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 8%. Across Arenac County's 6 public schools (combined enrollment of about 1,896 students), Sterling Elementary School is one campus in the mix.

StandishSterling Central Elementary School is the nearest neighboring public school, about 3.6 miles from this campus. Counting just inside five miles, 2 other public schools cluster around Sterling Elementary School.

The campus sits in an outlying setting.

Looking at the recent track record. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Sterling Elementary School has edged up 20%, going from 140 students in 2018 to 168 in 2025. Class-load math has fell: from 16.1:1 in 2018 to 14.2:1 in 2025.

On allk12, recent activity here tends to focus on pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.