Skip to main content

Below Average

#422 of 460 private schools in MI

Bethel Lutheran School

Elementary School

749 N PINE RD, Bay City, MI 48708

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How Bethel Lutheran School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Bay City, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
14.8:1
This School
vs
16.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
68
This School
vs
344
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.6
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 91.2% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.9% vs 0%
Bethel Lutheran School Bay City Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C+ 4.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 14.8:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 3.7 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,176
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 68
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)

White 91.2%
Hispanic 5.9%
Two or More 2.9%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.