Average
#1300 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 41% in state
Washington Writers Academy
Elementary School · Kalamazoo Public Schools
1919 PORTAGE ST, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
246
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalamazoo
#9 of 29
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#756 of 1,602
In district
#7 of 25
Kalamazoo Public Schools
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Washington Writers Academy
Washington Writers Academy is an elementary school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has a total enrollment of 246 students. The school boasts a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1, with 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to providing personalized attention.
Despite its modest academic scores, Washington Writers Academy is committed to fostering a nurturing environment that focuses on the development of each child. With rankings reflecting room for improvement academically, the school aims to enhance learning outcomes and offers various support systems tailored to individual student needs. The school's setting in a small city within Kalamazoo County provides students with access to community resources while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere that encourages interaction between families and educators.
Washington Writers Academy is dedicated to helping its students grow and thrive, both academically and personally, as they navigate their early years of education.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Washington Writers Academy are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Washington Writers Academy — Students at Washington Writers Academy score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
91.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.
How Washington Writers Academy Compares
See how Washington Writers Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 7.5% (2019) to 6.24% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 7.5% (2019) to 9.73% (2022).
Location
1919 PORTAGE ST, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Washington Writers Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Greenwood Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GAGIE SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalamazoo, see our Kalamazoo schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Edison Academy Kalamazoo | 0.6 mi | 4.5 |
| Milwood Elementary School Kalamazoo | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| ParkwoodUpjohn Elementary School Kalamazoo | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Kalamazoo Covenant Academy Kalamazoo | 0.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Greenwood Elementary School Kalamazoo | 1.2 mi | 9.2 |
| Milwood Magnet School Kalamazoo | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S CENTER Kalamazoo | 1.1 mi | — |
| GAGIE SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 1.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program Kalamazoo | 1.4 mi | 6.5 |
| El Sol Elementary Kalamazoo | 1.3 mi | 3.3 |
| Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts Kalamazoo | 1.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo | 1.6 mi | 3.3 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo | 2.0 mi | 6.5 |
| Phoenix Alternative High School Kalamazoo | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Transition Services Kalamazoo | 1.5 mi | — |
| Lincoln International Studies School Kalamazoo | 2.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Valley Center School Kalamazoo | 1.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49001 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,327
Median Home Value
$139,600
Median Rent
$1,055/mo
Population
21,313
College Educated
29.8%
Homeownership
53.3%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
19.5%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Washington Writers Academy has a median household income of $52,327. It is an area where 30% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $139,600, with a median rent of $1,055/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| 3246 PIERCE Beverly Hills, MI | 6.7 |
| Allen Elementary School Southgate, MI | 6.7 |
| Ann J Kellogg School Battle Creek, MI | 6.7 |
| Avalon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores, MI | 6.7 |
| Beal City Elementary School Mt. Pleasant, MI | 6.7 |
| Coopersville East Elementary Coopersville, MI | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Washington Writers Academy
What grades does Washington Writers Academy serve?
Washington Writers Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Washington Writers Academy?
Washington Writers Academy has an enrollment of approximately 246 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Washington Writers Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Washington Writers Academy is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Washington Writers Academy rank in MI?
Washington Writers Academy is ranked #1300 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Washington Writers Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Washington Writers Academy has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Writers Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Washington Writers Academy has 6.7% math proficiency and 9.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Washington Writers Academy a charter school?
No, Washington Writers Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Washington Writers Academy a Title I school?
No, Washington Writers Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Washington Writers Academy?
91.1% of students at Washington Writers Academy 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 (4,785/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalamazoo). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 246
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 91.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kalamazoo County
- Phone
- (269) 337-0770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kalamazoo Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 12,323
- Schools in District
- 31
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,528
- District Rank
- #7 of 25
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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