Average
#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
Enrollment
341
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
5.8
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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 10 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: 4.8/10.
How South Walnut Elementary School Compares
See how South Walnut Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 29.32% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 19.54% (2022).
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.
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
- Phone
- (269) 427-6863
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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.