Very Good
#597 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 19% 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
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#597 of 3,192
In Grand Rapids
#28 of 126
public schools
In district
#2 of 16
Kentwood Public Schools
Equity
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Bowen Elementary
Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sherwood Global Studies Academy
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Meadowlawn Elementary
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Bowen Elementary
Bowen Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Kentwood Public Schools. Bowen Elementary serves approximately 348 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Bowen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #597 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Bowen Elementary show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.5
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
31% of students at Bowen Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Bowen Elementary Compares
See how Bowen Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Sherwood Global Studies Academy (rated 7.4/10, 0.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Meadowlawn Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 0.8 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 | 7.4 |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| New Branches Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 4.4 |
| TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 8.6 |
| Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Grand River Preparatory High School Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| Challenger Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 4.6 |
| Crestwood Middle School Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 7.0 |
| Vista Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Central Kelloggsville Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 3.1 |
| East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids | 2.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids | 2.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Kelloggsville Virtual School Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Southeast Kelloggsville School Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Kelloggsville Middle School Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 4.0 |
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids | 2.3 mi | 4.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bird Elementary School Plymouth, MI | 7.6 |
| Breton Downs School Grand Rapids, MI | 7.6 |
| Cesar Chavez Academy Elementary Detroit, MI | 7.6 |
| Chatfield School Lapeer, MI | 7.6 |
| Ellis Elementary School Belding, MI | 7.6 |
| Emma Murphy Elementary School Metamora, MI | 7.6 |
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 ranks #597 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Bowen Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Bowen Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Bowen Elementary?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Bowen Elementary has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.7%
- Phone
- (616) 455-5220
Resources & Links
District
Kentwood Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,422
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,114
- District Rank
- #2 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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