Excellent
#363 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 11% in state
Barton Elementary School
Elementary School · Detroit Public Schools Community District
8530 JOY RD, Detroit, MI 48204
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
192
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Detroit
#8 of 150
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#245 of 1,602
In district
#7 of 99
Detroit Public Schools Community District
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Barton Elementary School
Barton Elementary School is a public elementary school nestled in the heart of Detroit, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, Barton offers a close-knit community with an enrollment of 192 students and a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. The school’s setting within a large city provides unique opportunities for urban exploration and learning.
With 12 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the school, Barton Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive environment that encourages growth and development in every child. While the academic performance metrics show room for improvement—Barton ranks at the 36th percentile among Michigan schools with an ELA proficiency rate of 9% and a math proficiency rate of 14%—the dedicated staff is committed to enhancing educational outcomes. Despite these challenges, Barton Elementary remains a vital part of its community, offering students a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy.
The school’s location within Detroit means that it benefits from the city's diverse cultural offerings and resources.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 192 students, Barton Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Barton Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Barton Elementary School — Students at Barton Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.9/10.
How Barton Elementary School Compares
See how Barton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2021) to 16.49% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2021) to 10% (2022).
Location
8530 JOY RD, Detroit, MI 48204
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Barton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Keidan Special Education Center (rated 9.7/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is McDonald Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Dearborn), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Noble ElementaryMiddle School (rated 7.2/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Detroit, see our Detroit schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mackenzie ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 0.5 mi | 4.7 |
| Charles R Drew Transition Center Detroit | 0.6 mi | 7.0 |
| McDonald Elementary School Dearborn | 0.9 mi | 8.8 |
| Riverside Academy Dearborn | 1.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Noble ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Iris Becker Elementary School Dearborn | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Priest ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 1.7 mi | 4.8 |
| GREAT REVELATIONS ACADEMY Dearborn | 1.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Hope Academy Detroit | 1.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Lowrey Middle School Dearborn | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| McCollough Elementary School Dearborn | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Lowrey Elementary School Dearborn | 1.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Flagship Charter Academy Detroit | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Unis Middle School Dearborn | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Keidan Special Education Center Detroit | 1.6 mi | 9.7 |
| Munger ElementaryMiddle School Detroit | 1.9 mi | 6.1 |
| INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC ACADEMY Detroit | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| AL-FURQAN QURAN ACADEMY Detroit | 2.1 mi | 6.7 |
| SER Metro YouthBuild Learning Academy Dearborn | 2.2 mi | — |
| Universal Academy Detroit | 2.2 mi | 3.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48204 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$32,875
Median Home Value
$53,600
Median Rent
$970/mo
Population
19,723
College Educated
10.2%
Homeownership
52.5%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
36.4%
Median Age
41
Community Profile
The community surrounding Barton Elementary School has a median household income of $32,875. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $53,600, with a median rent of $970/month. The area has a poverty rate of 36.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Avoca Elementary School Avoca, MI | 8.0 |
| BROOKFIELD ACADEMY - TROY Troy, MI | 8.0 |
| Commonwealth Community Development Academy Hamtramck, MI | 8.0 |
| Ferry School Grand Haven, MI | 8.0 |
| Honey Creek Community School Ann Arbor, MI | 8.0 |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY Lansing, MI | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Barton Elementary School
What grades does Barton Elementary School serve?
Barton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Barton Elementary School?
Barton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 192 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Barton Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Barton Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Barton Elementary School rank in MI?
Barton Elementary School is ranked #363 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Barton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Barton Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barton Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barton Elementary School has 14.3% math proficiency and 9.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Barton Elementary School a charter school?
No, Barton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Barton Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Barton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barton Elementary School?
91.7% of students at Barton Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 192
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 12
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Wayne County
- Phone
- (313) 873-7441
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Detroit Public Schools Community District- District Enrollment
- 48,271
- Schools in District
- 106
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $22,138
- District Rank
- #7 of 99
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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