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Below Average

#2838 of 3,192 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

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,838 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#108 of 126

public schools

In district

#37 of 47

Grand Rapids Public Schools

School environment

7.1 / 10

Very Good

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Buchanan Elementary

4.2/10

Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Burton Middle School

3.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Burton Elementary

4.7/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Buchanan Elementary

Buchanan Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Buchanan Elementary serves approximately 387 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Buchanan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,838 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Buchanan Elementary show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • MI avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.98 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency12.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-35 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-29.1 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,732
Chronic Absenteeism26.4%

Buchanan Elementary — Students at Buchanan Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 23.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
87%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
10%
ELA
29%
2012
Math
15%
ELA
41%
2013
Math
19%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
18%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
25%
2016
Math
14%
ELA
21%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
16%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
16%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
6.6%
ELA
13%

* 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: 3.4/10.

How Buchanan Elementary Compares

See how Buchanan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
11th percentile in MI
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.4%

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 7.8/10, 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, Gerald R Ford Academic Center (rated 7.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Burton Middle School Grand Rapids 0.5 mi 3.7
Burton Elementary Grand Rapids 0.5 mi 4.7
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 7.4
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 6.7
Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 3.4
THE POTTERS HOUSE Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 7.1
POTTERS HOUSE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 7.6
Covenant High School Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 4.1
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.4
GodfreyLee Early Childhood Ctr Wyoming 0.9 mi 6.8
East Lee Campus Wyoming 0.9 mi 5.8
Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 4.8
Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 4.1
Godfrey Elementary School Wyoming 1.0 mi 3.5
Brookside Elementary Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 3.2
SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY Wyoming 1.0 mi 4.9
Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 7.2
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 5.2
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.8
CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 5.9

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Arrowwood Elementary School Saginaw, MI 4.2
Central School Owosso, MI 4.2
Eisenhower Elementary School Fraser, MI 4.2
Grand Blanc Academy Grand Blanc, MI 4.2
PD Graham Elementary School Westland, MI 4.2
Pine Trails Elementary School Allegan, MI 4.2

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 ranks #2,838 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Buchanan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Buchanan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Buchanan Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Buchanan Elementary has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
72 Very Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
51 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.4%

District

Grand Rapids Public Schools
District Enrollment
13,802
Schools in District
51
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,732
District Rank
#37 of 47

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