Very Good
#500 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 16% in state
Bert Goens Learning Center
School · Van Buren ISD
490 SOUTH PAW PAW ST, Lawrence, MI 49064
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
2.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
72
Student-Teacher
2.9:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#500 of 3,192
In Lawrence
#1 of 4
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Van Buren ISD
Equity
10.0 / 10
Excellent
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Bert Goens Learning Center
School in Lawrence · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Lawrence Jrsr High School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lawrence Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bert Goens Learning Center
Bert Goens Learning Center is a public school in Lawrence, MI, part of Van Buren ISD. Bert Goens Learning Center serves approximately 72 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 2.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Bert Goens Learning Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #500 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Bert Goens Learning Center show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.8 · Very Good
- District avg 6.8
- MI avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 72 students, Bert Goens Learning Center is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 2.9:1 students to teachers, Bert Goens Learning Center sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
Bert Goens Learning Center sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Bert Goens Learning Center — Students at Bert Goens Learning Center score 75% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 30 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.9/10.
How Bert Goens Learning Center Compares
See how Bert Goens Learning Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
490 SOUTH PAW PAW ST, Lawrence, MI 49064
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bert Goens Learning Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Bangor Career Academy (rated 6.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Bangor), a more accessible option. Additionally, Maple Creek Education Center (rated 4.7/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Bangor), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lawrence, see our Lawrence schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Lawrence JrSr High School Lawrence | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence | 0.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Redwood Elementary Hartford | 5.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Maple Creek Education Center Bangor | 7.2 mi | 4.7 |
| South Walnut Elementary School Bangor | 7.2 mi | 5.2 |
| Hartford Middle School Hartford | 5.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Hartford High School Hartford | 5.9 mi | 6.2 |
| Hartford Alternative Education Hartford | 6.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Bangor Middle School Bangor | 7.6 mi | 4.6 |
| Bangor Career Academy Bangor | 7.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Bangor High School Bangor | 7.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Davis Elementary School Decatur | 7.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 7.8 mi | 5.5 |
| Paw Paw Later Elementary Paw Paw | 7.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Paw Paw Early Elementary School Paw Paw | 7.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Communitybased Transition Center Lawrence | 7.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Paw Paw Middle School Paw Paw | 7.6 mi | 6.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Paw Paw | 8.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Cedar Street Community and Family Center Paw Paw | 8.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Wood School Bangor Twp 8 Bangor | 9.7 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49064 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,863
Median Home Value
$163,400
Median Rent
$756/mo
Population
3,670
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
75.1%
Avg Commute
30.5 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
43.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Wing Lake Developmental Center Bloomfield Hills, MI | 7.8 |
| DickinsonIron Special Education Kingsford, MI | 7.7 |
| GogebicOntonagon ISD Special Education Bergland, MI | 7.7 |
| High Point School Ann Arbor, MI | 7.7 |
| North EdNew Horizons Traverse City, MI | 7.7 |
| Pathfinder Educational Center Centreville, MI | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bert Goens Learning Center
What grades does Bert Goens Learning Center serve?
Bert Goens Learning Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Bert Goens Learning Center?
Bert Goens Learning Center has an enrollment of approximately 72 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bert Goens Learning Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Bert Goens Learning Center is 2.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bert Goens Learning Center rank in MI?
Bert Goens Learning Center ranks #500 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Bert Goens Learning Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Bert Goens Learning Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Bert Goens Learning Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bert Goens Learning Center has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Bert Goens Learning Center a charter school?
No, Bert Goens Learning Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bert Goens Learning Center a Title I school?
No, Bert Goens Learning Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bert Goens Learning Center?
69.4% of students at Bert Goens Learning Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 72
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 2.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 69.4%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Van Buren County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.1%
- Phone
- (269) 539-5032
- 4-Year Graduation
- <50%
Resources & Links
District
Van Buren ISD- District Enrollment
- 650
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $356,356
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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