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#2000 of 3,190 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

5.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bangor

#4 of 5

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,069 of 1,602

In district

#3 of 4

Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About South Walnut Elementary School

South Walnut Elementary School serves 341 students in grades prekindergarten through fourth in Bangor, Michigan. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong performance with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #315 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among Michigan schools.

This impressive ranking suggests South Walnut Elementary is effectively serving its student community and delivering quality education during these crucial early learning years. The school draws families from a diverse economic background in the 49013 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $56,810 and median home value is $125,800. While 21% of the community faces economic challenges, the school's strong performance indicates it successfully supports students from various circumstances.

With 16% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the community of roughly 5,030 residents represents a mix of educational backgrounds. South Walnut Elementary School is situated in rural Van Buren County, providing students with a small-town educational experience in Michigan's scenic southwestern region.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, South Walnut Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency19.5%
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-22.4 pts
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)25%
vs. Expected-0.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,420

South Walnut Elementary School — Students at South Walnut Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 25%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 28.5%
School
State
37.8%
ELA Proficiency 22.6%
School
State
43.3%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
29.4%
ELA
19.7%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How South Walnut Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.8/10
37th percentile in MI
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
79%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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 6.5/10, 7.5 miles away, in nearby Hartford), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Lawrence Elementary School (rated 5.6/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Lawrence), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Covert Elementary School (rated 4.6/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Covert), a more accessible option. 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 6.1
Bangor Career Academy Bangor 0.5 mi 6.2
Bangor High School Bangor 0.5 mi 5.4
Bangor Middle School Bangor 0.5 mi 6.8
Wood School Bangor Twp 8 Bangor 3.8 mi
Lawrence Elementary School Lawrence 6.5 mi 5.6
Lawrence JrSr High School Lawrence 6.5 mi 5.5
Hartford Middle School Hartford 7.0 mi 4.9
Hartford High School Hartford 7.0 mi 4.5
Hartford Alternative Education Hartford 7.0 mi 6.2
Bert Goens Learning Center Lawrence 7.2 mi 9.0
Redwood Elementary Hartford 7.5 mi 6.5
Covert Elementary School Covert 7.7 mi 4.6
Covert High School Covert 7.7 mi 7.5
Covert Middle School Covert 7.7 mi 4.6
Maple Grove Elementary School South Haven 8.4 mi 4.3
WAY South Haven South Haven 9.9 mi
Bloomingdale Elementary School Bloomingdale 9.8 mi 3.6
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Haven 10.0 mi 4.0
Pullman Elementary School Bloomingdale 12.3 mi 4.2

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Walnut Elementary School has a median household income of $58,264. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,100, with a median rent of $757/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.0%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Arborwood Elementary School Monroe, MI 5.8
Arcadia Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 5.8
Arnold Elementary School Michigan Center, MI 5.8
Big Rock Elementary School Chesaning, MI 5.8
Brookside Elementary School Big Rapids, MI 5.8
Cedar View Elementary School Cedar Springs, MI 5.8

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 is ranked #2000 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is South Walnut Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Walnut Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 South Walnut Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Walnut Elementary School has 28.5% math proficiency and 22.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,204/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bangor). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)
District Enrollment
972
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,270
District Rank
#3 of 4

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 methodology

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