Average
#2363 of 3,192 schools in MI
South Walnut Elementary School
Elementary School · Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)
309 SOUTH WALNUT ST, Bangor, MI 49013
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.2
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,363 of 3,192
In Bangor
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#3 of 4
Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)
School environment
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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South Walnut Elementary School
Elementary School in Bangor · grades Pre-K – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Maple Creek Education Center
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bangor Career Academy
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Walnut Elementary School
South Walnut Elementary School is a public elementary school in Bangor, MI, part of Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren). South Walnut Elementary School serves approximately 341 students, and covers grades Pre-K-4th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Walnut Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,363 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for South Walnut Elementary School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 5.2 · Average
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
South Walnut Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
36% of students at South Walnut 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Walnut Elementary School — Students at South Walnut Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
78.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 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: 3.5/10.
How South Walnut Elementary School Compares
See how South Walnut Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
309 SOUTH WALNUT ST, Bangor, MI 49013
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Walnut Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Redwood Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores notably higher. Another option is Maple Grove Elementary School (rated 5.8/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby South Haven), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Lawrence Elementary School (rated 4.9/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Lawrence), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bangor, see our Bangor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 12.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Maple Creek Education Center Bangor | 0.0 mi | 4.7 |
| Bangor Career Academy Bangor | 0.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Bangor High School Bangor | 0.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Bangor Middle School Bangor | 0.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Wood School Bangor Twp 8 Bangor | 3.8 mi | — |
| Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence | 6.5 mi | 4.9 |
| Lawrence JrSr High School Lawrence | 6.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Hartford Middle School Hartford | 7.0 mi | 3.8 |
| Hartford High School Hartford | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
| Hartford Alternative Education Hartford | 7.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Bert Goens Learning Center Lawrence | 7.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Redwood Elementary Hartford | 7.5 mi | 7.1 |
| Covert Elementary School Covert | 7.7 mi | 3.6 |
| Covert High School Covert | 7.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Covert Middle School Covert | 7.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Maple Grove Elementary School South Haven | 8.4 mi | 5.8 |
| WAY South Haven South Haven | 9.9 mi | — |
| Bloomingdale Elementary School Bloomingdale | 9.8 mi | 2.8 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Haven | 10.0 mi | 4.0 |
| Pullman Elementary School Bloomingdale | 12.3 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49013 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,264
Median Home Value
$140,100
Median Rent
$757/mo
Population
5,020
College Educated
16.3%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
22%
Median Age
37.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ADAMS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wyoming, MI | 5.2 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles, MI | 5.2 |
| Carpenter School Ann Arbor, MI | 5.2 |
| Detroit Community Schools Elementary Detroit, MI | 5.2 |
| Emerald Elementary School Manistique, MI | 5.2 |
| Gladys Dillon Elementary School Burton, MI | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Walnut Elementary School
What grades does South Walnut Elementary School serve?
South Walnut Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend South Walnut Elementary School?
South Walnut Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 341 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Walnut Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Walnut Elementary School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Walnut Elementary School rank in MI?
South Walnut Elementary School ranks #2,363 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is South Walnut Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Walnut Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 South Walnut Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Walnut Elementary School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is South Walnut Elementary School a charter school?
No, South Walnut Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Walnut Elementary School a Title I school?
No, South Walnut Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Walnut Elementary School?
78.9% of students at South Walnut 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 341
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 78.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Van Buren County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 36.1%
- Phone
- (269) 427-6863
Resources & Links
District
Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)- District Enrollment
- 972
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,270
- District Rank
- #3 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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