Average
#211 of 460 private schools in MI
Top 46% of private schools
St Mary School
Elementary School
508 E PAW PAW ST, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
60
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
6.5
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Paw Paw
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#129 of 307
About St Mary School
St Mary School serves 60 students in grades prekindergarten through fifth grade in Paw Paw, Michigan. This small elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1 that allows for personalized attention and close student-teacher relationships. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 32nd out of 460 elementary schools statewide and achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10.
This places St Mary School in the 93rd percentile among Michigan elementary schools, demonstrating strong academic performance within the state's educational landscape. St Mary School's small size fosters a close-knit school community where students and families can develop meaningful connections. The low student-teacher ratio means teachers can provide individualized support and get to know each student's unique learning style and needs.
The school operates within the Van Buren area, serving families in a community where the median household income is $71,463 and 24% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. With a poverty rate of 11%, the surrounding neighborhood provides a relatively stable environment for learning. St Mary School is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering families the benefits of small-town community feel with access to broader regional resources.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 60 students, St Mary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
As a private school, St Mary School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow St Mary School compares to the 5 public schools in Paw Paw, MI
Student Demographics
All Schools in Paw Paw
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| St Mary School (this school) | 6.5 |
| Cedar Street Community and Family Center | 6.0 |
| Paw Paw Middle School | 5.1 |
| Paw Paw Early Elementary School | 6.8 |
| Paw Paw Later Elementary | 6.1 |
| Paw Paw High School | 6.5 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
508 E PAW PAW ST, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering St Mary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center (rated 7.6/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Mattawan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Davis Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 8.6 miles away, in nearby Decatur), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gobles Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Gobles), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Paw Paw, see our Paw Paw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Street Community and Family Center Paw Paw | 0.4 mi | 6.0 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paw Paw | 0.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Paw Paw Middle School Paw Paw | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| Paw Paw Early Elementary School Paw Paw | 1.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Communitybased Transition Center Lawrence | 1.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Paw Paw Later Elementary Paw Paw | 1.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Paw Paw High School Paw Paw | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Lawton Elementary School Lawton | 4.0 mi | 7.1 |
| Lawton Accelerated Academic Center Lawton | 4.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Lawton Middle School Lawton | 4.2 mi | 5.0 |
| Lawton High School Lawton | 4.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Mattawan Later Elem School Mattawan | 4.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Mattawan Early Elem School Mattawan | 4.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Mattawan High School Mattawan | 4.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Mattawan Middle School Mattawan | 4.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center Mattawan | 4.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Davis Elementary School Decatur | 8.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur | 8.7 mi | 4.8 |
| Michigan Online School Gobles | 9.9 mi | 3.5 |
| Gobles Elementary School Gobles | 10.3 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,119
Median Home Value
$214,600
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
13,364
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding St Mary School has a median household income of $72,119. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,600, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Allegan Online K8 Allegan, MI | 6.5 |
| Lessenger Early Childhood Center Oak Park, MI | 6.5 |
| ST CHARLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greenville, MI | 6.5 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City, MI | 6.5 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Harbor Beach, MI | 6.5 |
| CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville, MI | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about St Mary School
What grades does St Mary School serve?
St Mary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend St Mary School?
St Mary School has an enrollment of approximately 60 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at St Mary School?
The student-teacher ratio at St Mary School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does St Mary School rank in MI?
St Mary School is ranked #211 out of 460 private schools in MI.
What is St Mary School's MySchoolScout rating?
St Mary School has a composite rating of 6.5 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.
Is St Mary School a private school?
Yes, St Mary School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is St Mary School a religious school?
St Mary School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,885/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paw Paw). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 60
- Gender Split
- 48% M / 52% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 5
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- VAN BUREN
- Phone
- (616) 657-3750
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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
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