Way Elementary School vs West Maple Elementary School
Way Elementary School and West Maple Elementary School are very closely rated, both scoring around 8.8 out of 10. In math proficiency, Way Elementary School leads at 77.0%.
Attendance data is under correction. A public school's existing Resources & Environment score and overall rating shown here may still reflect an unverified attendance input.
Way Elementary School
Bloomfield Hills, MI
473 students
West Maple Elementary School
Bloomfield Hills, MI
532 students
Keep or send this comparison
Send to my realtor
Open an email to my realtorRatings Comparison
| Metric | Way Elementary School | West Maple Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.8 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.5 | 9.1 |
| Growth Score | 8.0 | 7.7 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 14.8% | 10.2% |
| Environment Score | 9.9 | 9.8 |
| State Rank | #78 of 3,198 | #154 of 3,198 |
| State Percentile | 98th | 95th |
Test Scores
| Subject | Way Elementary School | West Maple Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 77.0% | 66.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 67.0% | 74.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
| Detail | Way Elementary School | West Maple Elementary School |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Elementary School | Elementary School |
| Grades | Kindergarten – 5th | Kindergarten – 5th |
| Enrollment | 473 | 532 |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | 13.5:1 | 13.6:1 |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 14.8% | 10.2% |
| District | Bloomfield Hills Schools | Birmingham Public Schools |
| City | Bloomfield Hills | Bloomfield Hills |
Neighborhood
| Metric | Bloomfield Hills (48302) | Bloomfield Hills (48301) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $175,698 | $163,571 |
| Median Home Value | $624,200 | $670,600 |
| Median Rent | $2,048 | $1,878 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 75.0% | 77.3% |
| Poverty Rate | 6.5% | 4.7% |
| Avg Commute | 25 min | 24 min |
The data story: Way Elementary School vs West Maple Elementary School
West Maple Elementary School and Way Elementary School are both top-tier elementary schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, but Way Elementary School holds a meaningful edge in state rankings: Way Elementary School sits at #28 of 3,190 Michigan schools while West Maple Elementary School ranks #64 of 3,190 — a 36-position gap that places Way Elementary in the top 1% statewide. The overall rating gap is 0.3 points, with Way Elementary School scoring 9.3/10 against West Maple Elementary School's 9.0/10, a difference that compounds when you look at where each school stands relative to the full field.
Academically, Way Elementary School scores 9.6/10 versus West Maple Elementary School's 9.1/10 — a 0.5-point gap that represents a meaningful difference at this end of the scale where scores compress. Growth scores are closer: Way Elementary School posts 8.9/10 against West Maple Elementary School's 8.7/10, a 0.2-point difference suggesting Way students are not just entering high but also advancing faster than their peers. Across both academic and growth dimensions, Way Elementary School consistently leads, though West Maple Elementary School's scores would rank as exceptional in virtually any other Michigan district.
The two schools diverge slightly on demographics despite operating just 3.2 miles apart. West Maple Elementary School enrolls 532 students compared to Way Elementary School's 473, making West Maple the larger campus by 59 students. Free and reduced-price lunch eligibility runs at 10% at West Maple Elementary School versus 15% at Way Elementary School — a modest difference that gives Way a slightly broader socioeconomic mix. Student-teacher ratios are nearly identical: West Maple Elementary School at 13.6:1 and Way Elementary School at 13.5:1, meaning class sizes are comparable and neither school holds a structural advantage in adult attention per student.
Both schools serve grades KG through 05, so families are comparing like-for-like programs across the same grade span. The 3.2-mile gap between campuses means neighborhood proximity is likely the deciding factor for many Bloomfield Hills families once they account for the academic performance difference between them.
Editorial summary generated April 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
Way Elementary School
West Maple Elementary School suits families who prioritize a larger school community — 532 students versus 473 — and whose address puts them closer to West Maple's attendance zone. Its 9.0/10 overall rating and #64 Michigan rank still place it among the state's top elementary schools, and its 10% free and reduced lunch rate reflects a tightly homogeneous socioeconomic community.
West Maple Elementary School
Way Elementary School is the stronger academic choice for families who can access it, with a 9.3/10 overall rating, a #28 Michigan state rank, a 9.6/10 academic score, and a slightly more diverse socioeconomic profile at 15% free and reduced lunch. Families prioritizing maximum academic achievement and growth trajectory should weigh these margins seriously.