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Excellent

#52 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 2% in state

Walters Elementary

Elementary School · Marshall Public Schools

705 NORTH MARSHALL AVE, Marshall, MI 49068

Enrollment

293

Student-Teacher

14.7:1

Score

9.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Marshall

#1 of 7

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#43 of 1,602

In district

#1 of 8

Marshall Public Schools

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Walters Elementary

Walters Elementary serves 293 students in grades PK through 5 in Marshall, Michigan, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.7:1. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.8 growth score and an 8.6 academic score. That combination puts Walters in genuinely rare company.

The statewide numbers make that clear. Walters ranks 52nd out of 3,190 public schools in Michigan, outperforming 98% of schools across the state. Among Michigan's 1,602 elementary schools specifically, it places 43rd.

In Marshall, it stands first among the city's 7 public schools — and it earns that position on merit, not just proximity. Growth is the defining strength. A 9.8 growth score means students here are gaining more than peers at comparable schools — not just high performers pulling the average up, but consistent progress across the student body.

The 14.7:1 ratio gives teachers the bandwidth to make that happen at an individual level. For families comparing elementary options in Calhoun County, Walters offers a rare combination: instruction strong enough to rank among Michigan's top elementary schools and student development numbers that back it up.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+5.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.4%
Math vs. State Avg+10.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+14.5 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,222

Walters Elementary — Students at Walters Elementary score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

41.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.2%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 53.7%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
53.3%
ELA
56.9%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Walters Elementary Compares

See how Walters Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.1/10
98th percentile in MI
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

Location

705 NORTH MARSHALL AVE, Marshall, MI 49068

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Walters Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Hughes Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Gordon Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 0.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Wattles Park Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Battle Creek), a more accessible option. For more schools in Marshall, see our Marshall schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Marshall High School Marshall 0.2 mi 3.9
Gordon Elementary School Marshall 0.8 mi 7.6
Marshall Middle School Marshall 1.1 mi 5.9
Calhoun County Juvenile Home Marshall 1.2 mi
Hughes Elementary School Marshall 1.8 mi 9.1
Marshall Academy Marshall 2.6 mi 6.1
Mar Lee School Marshall 4.1 mi 5.6
Wattles Park Elementary School Battle Creek 7.9 mi 7.4
Fern Persons Elementary School Olivet 10.5 mi 5.7
Olivet High School Olivet 11.3 mi 3.8
Olivet Middle School Olivet 11.3 mi 6.0
Bellevue Elementary School Bellevue 11.5 mi 5.0
Beadle Lake Elementary School Battle Creek 9.0 mi 6.6
Doris Klaussen Dev Center Battle Creek 9.2 mi 8.3
Bellevue JrSr High School Bellevue 11.9 mi 6.9
Pennfield Middle School Battle Creek 10.5 mi 5.1
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary Battle Creek 10.6 mi 5.2
Harper Creek High School Battle Creek 10.0 mi 4.0
Harper Creek Middle School Battle Creek 10.0 mi 5.0
Pennfield Senior High School Battle Creek 10.7 mi 2.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49068 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$78,476

Median Home Value

$196,800

Median Rent

$904/mo

Population

14,954

College Educated

36.1%

Homeownership

79.2%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

45.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Walters Elementary has a median household income of $78,476. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,800, with a median rent of $904/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Hughes Elementary School Marshall, MI 9.1
West Holland, MI 9.1
Bach Elementary School Ann Arbor, MI 9.0
Frostick School Croswell, MI 9.0
Holland Heights Holland, MI 9.0
Logan Elementary School Ann Arbor, MI 9.2

Compare Walters Elementary with similar schools nearby

Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Walters Elementary

What grades does Walters Elementary serve?

Walters Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Walters Elementary?

Walters Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Walters Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Walters Elementary is 14.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Walters Elementary rank in MI?

Walters Elementary is ranked #52 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Walters Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Walters Elementary has a composite rating of 9.1 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 Walters Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walters Elementary has 47.2% math proficiency and 53.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Walters Elementary a charter school?

No, Walters Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Walters Elementary a Title I school?

No, Walters Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walters Elementary?

41.3% of students at Walters Elementary 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

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,391/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Compare This School

How does Walters Elementary stack up?

Hughes Elementary School
9.1

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
41.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Calhoun County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Marshall Public Schools
District Enrollment
2,602
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,707
District Rank
#1 of 8

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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