Average
#2576 of 3,190 schools in MI
Buchanan Elementary
Elementary School · Grand Rapids Public Schools
1775 BUCHANAN AVE SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#94 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,312 of 1,602
In district
#35 of 47
Grand Rapids Public Schools
School environment
7.0 / 10
Strong
About Buchanan Elementary
Buchanan Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 387 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1. With 21 full-time equivalent teachers, Buchanan Elementary focuses on providing individualized attention to each child.
The academic performance at Buchanan Elementary shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 2.6 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3043 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (5th percentile). Test scores indicate that only 13% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while just 7% are proficient or above in Math. Despite the current challenges in academic performance, Buchanan Elementary continues to work towards improving educational outcomes and supporting its students.
The school is situated in a mid-size city, which offers a diverse range of cultural and community resources for both students and families.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
View breakdown
Buchanan Elementary — Students at Buchanan Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
95.3%
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
↓ 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: 5.0/10.
How Buchanan Elementary Compares
See how Buchanan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 16% (2019) to 6.89% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12.85% (2022).
Location
1775 BUCHANAN AVE SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Buchanan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is POTTERS HOUSE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GodfreyLee Early Childhood Ctr (rated 7.1/10, 0.9 miles away, in nearby Wyoming), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49507 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,578
Median Home Value
$179,600
Median Rent
$1,114/mo
Population
39,389
College Educated
26.9%
Homeownership
60.6%
Avg Commute
20.7 min
Poverty Rate
27.3%
Median Age
29.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Buchanan Elementary has a median household income of $56,578. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,600, with a median rent of $1,114/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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 |
|---|---|
| Attwood School Lansing, MI | 5.0 |
| Bangor Lincoln School Bay City, MI | 5.0 |
| Bath Elementary School Bath, MI | 5.0 |
| Bellevue Elementary School Bellevue, MI | 5.0 |
| Deerfield Elementary School Rochester Hills, MI | 5.0 |
| Edwardsburg Intermediate School Edwardsburg, MI | 5.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Buchanan Elementary
What grades does Buchanan Elementary serve?
Buchanan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Buchanan Elementary?
Buchanan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Buchanan Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Buchanan Elementary is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Buchanan Elementary rank in MI?
Buchanan Elementary is ranked #2576 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Buchanan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Buchanan Elementary has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Buchanan Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buchanan Elementary has 7.5% math proficiency and 12.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Buchanan Elementary a charter school?
No, Buchanan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Buchanan Elementary a Title I school?
No, Buchanan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Buchanan Elementary?
95.3% of students at Buchanan 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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,416/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 387
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 95.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 819-2252
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Grand Rapids Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,802
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #35 of 47
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
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.