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Average

#1167 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 37% in state

Nowlin Elementary School

Elementary School · Dearborn City School District

23600 PENN ST, Dearborn, MI 48124

Enrollment

241

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,167 of 3,192

In Dearborn

#21 of 39

public schools

In district

#21 of 36

Dearborn City School District

School environment

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Nowlin Elementary School

6.8/10

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

Smith Middle School

7.0/10

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

Pardee School

3.8/10

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

About Nowlin Elementary School

Nowlin Elementary School is a public elementary school in Dearborn, MI, part of Dearborn City School District. Nowlin Elementary School serves approximately 241 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Nowlin Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,167 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Nowlin Elementary School show 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

31% of students at Nowlin Elementary School 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36.4% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-5.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)26% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+15.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
Resources & Environment9.5Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,437
Chronic Absenteeism31.1%

Nowlin Elementary School — Students at Nowlin Elementary School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 26%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 52.2% (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
82%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
35.2%
ELA
47.7%

* 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 Nowlin Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.8/10
64th percentile in MI
Academic
8.1/10
Excellent
Growth
5.0/10
Average
Environment
9.5/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.1%

Location

23600 PENN ST, Dearborn, MI 48124

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nowlin Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Duvall Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Quest Charter Academy (rated 6.5/10, 1.5 miles away, in nearby Taylor), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SACRED HEART SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Dearborn, see our Dearborn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Smith Middle School Dearborn 0.2 mi 7.0
Pardee School Dearborn Heights 0.8 mi 3.8
Long Elementary School Dearborn 0.8 mi 6.2
West Village Academy Dearborn 0.9 mi 3.5
Oakley W Best Middle School Dearborn Heights 1.1 mi 3.9
WhitmoreBolles Elementary School Dearborn 0.9 mi 5.7
Duvall Elementary School Dearborn 1.2 mi 7.9
DEARBORN EARLY LEARNING CENTER Dearborn 1.1 mi
Annapolis High School Dearborn Heights 1.2 mi 5.2
Thorne Elementary School Dearborn Heights 1.2 mi 2.6
Robichaud Senior High School Dearborn Heights 1.1 mi 7.0
Dearborn High School Dearborn 1.6 mi 7.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Dearborn 1.5 mi 6.4
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Dearborn 1.5 mi
Quest Charter Academy Taylor 1.5 mi 6.5
Dearborn Heights Virtual Academy Dearborn Heights 1.5 mi 6.0
Tomlinson Middle School Inkster 1.5 mi 4.8
Polk Elementary School Dearborn Heights 1.5 mi 3.9
Daly School Inkster 1.5 mi 3.0
Westwood Virtual Academy Inkster 1.5 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48124 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,353

Median Home Value

$192,100

Median Rent

$1,280/mo

Population

34,156

College Educated

40.3%

Homeownership

80.1%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

38.9

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANN ARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ann Arbor, MI 6.8
Anderson Elementary School Grand Blanc, MI 6.8
Bad Axe Middle School Bad Axe, MI 6.8
Bessie B Baker School Wayland, MI 6.8
Central Elementary School Hastings, MI 6.8
Crescent Academy Elementary Southfield, MI 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nowlin Elementary School

What grades does Nowlin Elementary School serve?

Nowlin Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Nowlin Elementary School?

Nowlin Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 241 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nowlin Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nowlin Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nowlin Elementary School rank in MI?

Nowlin Elementary School ranks #1,167 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Nowlin Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nowlin Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Nowlin Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nowlin Elementary School has 42% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Nowlin Elementary School a charter school?

No, Nowlin Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nowlin Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Nowlin Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nowlin Elementary School?

77.6% of students at Nowlin Elementary School 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
41 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
241
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Wayne County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.1%

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