Average
#1587 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 50% in state
Thurston Elementary School
Elementary School · Ann Arbor Public Schools
2300 PRAIRIE ST, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ann Arbor
#29 of 35
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#895 of 1,602
In district
#24 of 31
Ann Arbor Public Schools
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Thurston Elementary School
Thurston Elementary School serves 526 students in grades kindergarten through fifth in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #454 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong showing has contributed to its MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10, indicating solid educational quality for families in the area. Thurston Elementary operates as a regular public school in the Ann Arbor community, where education is clearly valued. The surrounding neighborhood reflects this commitment to learning, with an impressive 82% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The area's median household income of $93,203 and median home value of $453,300 suggest a stable, well-established community that prioritizes educational investment. Located on Prairie Street in this mid-size city, Thurston Elementary sits within a ZIP code of nearly 38,000 residents, providing students with both the benefits of a substantial community and the intimate feel of a neighborhood school.
Score Breakdown
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Thurston Elementary School — Students at Thurston Elementary School score 65% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
21.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 3.4/10.
How Thurston Elementary School Compares
See how Thurston Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 79% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 73% (2019) to 62.78% (2022).
Location
2300 PRAIRIE ST, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thurston Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Logan Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Angell School (rated 8.0/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Martin Luther King Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Ann Arbor, see our Ann Arbor schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Clague Middle School Ann Arbor | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| Logan Elementary School Ann Arbor | 0.6 mi | 9.2 |
| MICHIGAN ISLAMIC ACADEMY Ann Arbor | 0.7 mi | 9.1 |
| GREEN HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 0.8 mi | — |
| Huron High School Ann Arbor | 1.7 mi | 9.5 |
| Martin Luther King Elem School Ann Arbor | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| FR GABRIEL RICHARD HIGH SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| GREENHILLS SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 1.9 mi | 7.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School Ann Arbor | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR Ann Arbor | 1.7 mi | 8.0 |
| Angell School Ann Arbor | 2.6 mi | 8.0 |
| SPIRITUS SANCTUS ACADEMY Ann Arbor | 3.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Tappan Middle School Ann Arbor | 3.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Community High School Ann Arbor | 2.7 mi | 8.8 |
| ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 3.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Burns Park Elementary School Ann Arbor | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| SUMMERS-KNOLL SCHOOL Ann Arbor | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Pattengill School Ann Arbor | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Washtenaw Technical Middle College Ann Arbor | 3.4 mi | 6.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48105 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$94,737
Median Home Value
$485,600
Median Rent
$1,603/mo
Population
36,959
College Educated
81.6%
Homeownership
51.2%
Avg Commute
21.7 min
Poverty Rate
14.5%
Median Age
31.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thurston Elementary School has a median household income of $94,737. It is a well-educated community where 82% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $485,600, with a median rent of $1,603/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.5%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice M Birney K8 School Southfield, MI | 6.3 |
| Bennett Woods Elementary School Okemos, MI | 6.3 |
| Brewer Academy Detroit, MI | 6.3 |
| Carpenter Elem School Lake Orion, MI | 6.3 |
| Challenger Elementary School Howell, MI | 6.3 |
| Chestnut Hill Elementary School Midland, MI | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thurston Elementary School
What grades does Thurston Elementary School serve?
Thurston Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Thurston Elementary School?
Thurston Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thurston Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thurston Elementary School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thurston Elementary School rank in MI?
Thurston Elementary School is ranked #1587 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Thurston Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thurston Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Thurston Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thurston Elementary School has 70.3% math proficiency and 63.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thurston Elementary School a charter school?
No, Thurston Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thurston Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Thurston Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thurston Elementary School?
21.5% of students at Thurston 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,024/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ann Arbor). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 526
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 21.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Washtenaw County
- Phone
- (734) 994-1970
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ann Arbor Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 16,978
- Schools in District
- 32
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $19,600
- District Rank
- #24 of 31
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
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