Below Average
#422 of 460 private schools in MI
Bethel Lutheran School
Elementary School
749 N PINE RD, Bay City, MI 48708
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
68
Student-Teacher
14.8:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Bay City
#10 of 10
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#286 of 307
About Bethel Lutheran School
Bethel Lutheran School is a small, rural elementary school located in Bay City, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Bethel offers a close-knit community with an enrollment of 68 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.8:1. With five full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs.
While specific test score data is not available, Bethel Lutheran School has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks 360th out of 460 schools in Michigan, placing it in the 22nd percentile. This suggests there may be room for academic growth but also highlights areas where the school is focusing on student development. Situated near a town in a rural setting, Bethel Lutheran School benefits from a close-knit community that values education and supports its students' overall well-being.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 68 students, Bethel Lutheran 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.
As a private school, Bethel Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Located in a rural area, Bethel Lutheran School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Bethel Lutheran School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Bay City, MI
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bethel Lutheran School (this school) | 4.6 |
| Hampton Elementary School | 4.8 |
| Washington Elementary School | 4.4 |
| Bay City Academy Farragut Campus | 6.1 |
| MacGregor Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Kolb Elementary School | 6.4 |
| State Street Academy | 6.7 |
| Handy Middle School | 6.7 |
| Bangor Township Virtual School | 5.8 |
| Bangor Central School | 3.2 |
| Christa McAuliffe Middle School | 3.6 |
| Mackensen Elementary School | 5.5 |
| Bangor West Central School | 7.6 |
| ISDLocal Programs | 6.6 |
| McAlearSawden Elem School | 5.7 |
| Bangor Lincoln School | 5.0 |
| North Central Academy Campus | 6.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
749 N PINE RD, Bay City, MI 48708
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bethel Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MacGregor Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kolb Elementary School (rated 6.4/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bay City, see our Bay City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LLCBay Campus Essexville | 0.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Hampton Elementary School Bay City | 1.0 mi | 4.8 |
| WR Bush Elementary School Essexville | 1.3 mi | 5.3 |
| Garber High School Essexville | 1.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Cramer Junior High School Essexville | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| BayArenac Community High School Essexville | 1.8 mi | 5.2 |
| Washington Elementary School Bay City | 1.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Bay City Eastern High School Bay City | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Bay City Central High School Bay City | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 2.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Verellen Elementary School Essexville | 2.4 mi | 3.0 |
| Bay City Academy Farragut Campus Bay City | 2.2 mi | 6.1 |
| ALL SAINTS CENTRAL MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Bay City | 2.3 mi | 8.5 |
| ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY Bay City | 2.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Detention Center Essexville | 2.8 mi | — |
| MacGregor Elementary School Bay City | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 3.2 mi | 5.1 |
| State Street Academy Bay City | 3.6 mi | 6.7 |
| Kolb Elementary School Bay City | 3.5 mi | 6.4 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City | 3.7 mi | 4.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48708 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,216
Median Home Value
$98,500
Median Rent
$703/mo
Population
25,751
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
69.2%
Avg Commute
23.2 min
Poverty Rate
19.8%
Median Age
41.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bethel Lutheran School has a median household income of $50,216. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $98,500, with a median rent of $703/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.8%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era, MI | 4.5 |
| New Bedford Academy Lambertville, MI | 4.5 |
| ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant, MI | 4.5 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Charlevoix, MI | 4.7 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rogers City, MI | 4.8 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City, MI | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bethel Lutheran School
What grades does Bethel Lutheran School serve?
Bethel Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Bethel Lutheran School?
Bethel Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bethel Lutheran School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bethel Lutheran School is 14.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Bethel Lutheran School rank in MI?
Bethel Lutheran School is ranked #422 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is Bethel Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bethel Lutheran School has a composite rating of 4.6 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.
Is Bethel Lutheran School a private school?
Yes, Bethel Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Bethel Lutheran School a religious school?
Bethel Lutheran School has a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,466/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bay City). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 68
- Gender Split
- 53% M / 47% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 168 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- BAY
- Phone
- (989) 892-4508
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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