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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.7%
Math vs. State Avg-8.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)22%
vs. Expected+18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile72th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,827

Washington School — Students at Washington School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 22%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
34.6%
ELA Proficiency 45.7%
School
State
42.3%

Based on 14 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
33.4%
ELA
46.2%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
74th percentile in MI
Academic
8.1/10
8.1/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Low (63/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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