Very Good
#845 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 27% in state
Washington School
Elementary School · Bessemer Area School District
301 EAST SELLAR ST, Bessemer, MI 49911
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
178
Student-Teacher
11.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bessemer
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#512 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 2
Bessemer Area School District
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Washington School
Washington School serves 178 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in Bessemer, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #4 out of 3,204 schools statewide, Washington School has achieved remarkable academic distinction in Michigan's 100th percentile. The school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.1 to 1 with 16 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong classroom relationships.
This intimate learning environment supports the educational needs of students from kindergarten through sixth grade in a close-knit academic community. Washington School serves families in the 49911 zip code area, where the median household income is $51,036 and median home value is $107,400. The community includes 2,769 residents, with 22% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 17.4%.
These demographics reflect a working-class community with diverse economic backgrounds. Located at 301 East Sellar Street in Bessemer, Washington School sits in rural Gogebic County, offering students an educational experience in Michigan's Upper Peninsula surrounded by the natural beauty and tight-knit community character typical of the region.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 178 students, Washington 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.
Located in a rural area, Washington 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
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Data not available for this school
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Washington School — Students at Washington School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 14 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: 6.0/10.
How Washington School Compares
See how Washington School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 33.21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47.7% (2022).
Location
301 EAST SELLAR ST, Bessemer, MI 49911
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Washington School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. North Lakeland Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 25.0 miles away, in nearby Manitowish Waters), which scores notably higher. Another option is Butternut Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 38.4 miles away, in nearby Butternut), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hurley Elementary (rated 5.5/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Hurley), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bessemer, see our Bessemer schools guide .
Nearby Schools
14 within 38.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| AD Johnston JrSr High School Bessemer | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| BLUFF VIEW CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bessemer | 0.5 mi | — |
| WakefieldMarenisco School Wakefield | 5.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Luther L Wright K12 School Ironwood | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Gogebic Co Community Education Ironwood | 5.6 mi | 6.3 |
| NORTHWOODS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hurley | 6.6 mi | — |
| Hurley High Hurley | 7.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Hurley Elementary Hurley | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Mercer School Mercer | 21.3 mi | 7.1 |
| North Lakeland Elementary Manitowish Waters | 25.0 mi | 9.3 |
| GogebicOntonagon ISD Special Education Bergland | 23.9 mi | 8.9 |
| Butternut Elementary Butternut | 38.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Butternut High Butternut | 38.4 mi | 8.1 |
| Promethean Charter School Butternut | 38.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49911 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,326
Median Home Value
$109,500
Median Rent
$529/mo
Population
2,843
College Educated
19.5%
Homeownership
78.9%
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
45.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Washington School has a median household income of $51,326. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $109,500, with a median rent of $529/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Courtade Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 7.2 |
| Daly School Inkster, MI | 7.2 |
| Dudley School Battle Creek, MI | 7.2 |
| Grant Primary Center Grant, MI | 7.2 |
| Great Lakes Academy Pontiac, MI | 7.2 |
| Lamora Park School Battle Creek, MI | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Washington School
What grades does Washington School serve?
Washington School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Washington School?
Washington School has an enrollment of approximately 178 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington School?
The student-teacher ratio at Washington School is 11.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Washington School rank in MI?
Washington School is ranked #845 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Washington School's MySchoolScout rating?
Washington School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Washington School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington School has 33.7% math proficiency and 45.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Washington School a charter school?
No, Washington School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Washington School a Title I school?
No, Washington School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Washington School?
83.7% of students at Washington 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 178
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Gogebic County
- Phone
- (906) 663-4515
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Bessemer Area School District- District Enrollment
- 352
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,944
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
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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