Excellent
#195 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 6% in state
Bowen Elementary
Elementary School · Kentwood Public Schools
4483 KALAMAZOO AVE SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#12 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#138 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 16
Kentwood Public Schools
Equity
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Bowen Elementary
Bowen Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of the Kentwood Public Schools. The school serves approximately 348 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 93.9th percentile among MI schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 41% proficiency in math, 5 points above the state average and 46% in reading/language arts, 3 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $65,328, where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Bowen Elementary — Students at Bowen Elementary score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 8.7/10.
How Bowen Elementary Compares
See how Bowen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 40.74% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 47.66% (2022).
Location
4483 KALAMAZOO AVE SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bowen Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Southeast Kelloggsville School (rated 8.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Brookwood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwood Global Studies Academy Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 7.3 |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 6.3 |
| New Branches Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Grand River Preparatory High School Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Challenger Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Crestwood Middle School Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Vista Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Central Kelloggsville Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 4.3 |
| East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids | 2.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids | 2.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Kelloggsville Virtual School Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Southeast Kelloggsville School Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Kelloggsville Middle School Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids | 2.3 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49508 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$65,328
Median Home Value
$257,900
Median Rent
$1,179/mo
Population
41,924
College Educated
33.2%
Homeownership
61.1%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
35.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bowen Elementary has a median household income of $65,328. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $257,900, with a median rent of $1,179/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Adams Elementary School Zeeland, MI | 8.5 |
| Donald J Yacks Elem School Harrison Township, MI | 8.5 |
| Forest View Elementary School Boon, MI | 8.5 |
| Hamilton Elementary School Troy, MI | 8.5 |
| Lee Elementary School Middleville, MI | 8.5 |
| Mecosta Elementary School Mecosta, MI | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bowen Elementary
What grades does Bowen Elementary serve?
Bowen Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Bowen Elementary?
Bowen Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bowen Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Bowen Elementary is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bowen Elementary rank in MI?
Bowen Elementary is ranked #195 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Bowen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowen Elementary has a composite rating of 8.5 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 Bowen Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bowen Elementary has 40.5% math proficiency and 45.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bowen Elementary a charter school?
No, Bowen Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bowen Elementary a Title I school?
No, Bowen Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bowen Elementary?
78.2% of students at Bowen Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 348
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 455-5220
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kentwood Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,422
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,114
- District Rank
- #1 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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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