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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+8.31 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Math vs. State Avg-25.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-31.9 pts
Overall Proficiency13%
Expected (poverty-adj.)17%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,928

Barton Elementary School — Students at Barton Elementary School score 13% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 17%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

91.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.3%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 9.0%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
5%
ELA
5%
2022
Math
16.6%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
89th percentile in MI
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
92%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
42 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (6,148/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Detroit). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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