Average
#1572 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 49% in state
William C Abney Academy Elementary
Elementary School · William C. Abney Academy
1435 FULTON ST E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
292
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
6.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#70 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#887 of 1,602
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About William C Abney Academy Elementary
William C Abney Academy Elementary serves 292 students in grades kindergarten through sixth in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This charter school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.2:1 with 24 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #306 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile of Michigan schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence and student achievement. Located at 1435 Fulton Street East, William C Abney Academy sits within the 49503 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $58,165 and median home value reaches $204,000. The surrounding community shows a solid educational foundation, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, though the area also faces economic challenges with a 23.1% poverty rate.
As a charter school in Grand Rapids, William C Abney Academy Elementary provides families with an alternative public education option in this mid-size Michigan city. The school serves a diverse student population within a community that values education while working to address economic disparities.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at William C Abney Academy Elementary 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.
William C Abney Academy Elementary is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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William C Abney Academy Elementary — Students at William C Abney Academy Elementary score 10% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 12%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
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: 6.3/10.
How William C Abney Academy Elementary Compares
See how William C Abney Academy Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 12% (2019) to 5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 15% (2022).
Location
1435 FULTON ST E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William C Abney Academy Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congress Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| LIVING STONES ACADEMY Grand Rapids | 0.2 mi | 5.9 |
| Empower U Grand Rapids | 0.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Congress Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.6 mi | 9.3 |
| Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | — |
| Campus Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 5.7 |
| ST STEPHEN SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 7.6 |
| PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 5.8 |
| Wealthy School Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Bethany Based School Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | — |
| Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Innovation Central High Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 8.1 |
| Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 9.0 |
| East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum High Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,734
Median Home Value
$224,100
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Population
37,874
College Educated
43.9%
Homeownership
37.5%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Median Age
30.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding William C Abney Academy Elementary has a median household income of $61,734. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,100, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis, MI | 6.3 |
| Chestnut Hill Elementary School Midland, MI | 6.3 |
| Columbiaville Elementary School Otisville, MI | 6.3 |
| Crescent Academy Elementary Southfield, MI | 6.3 |
| Davisburg Elementary School Davisburg, MI | 6.3 |
| Eugene M Nikkari Elementary Saint Louis, MI | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William C Abney Academy Elementary
What grades does William C Abney Academy Elementary serve?
William C Abney Academy Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend William C Abney Academy Elementary?
William C Abney Academy Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 292 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William C Abney Academy Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at William C Abney Academy Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William C Abney Academy Elementary rank in MI?
William C Abney Academy Elementary is ranked #1572 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is William C Abney Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
William C Abney Academy Elementary 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 William C Abney Academy Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William C Abney Academy Elementary has 6.4% math proficiency and 14.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William C Abney Academy Elementary a charter school?
Yes, William C Abney Academy Elementary is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is William C Abney Academy Elementary a Title I school?
No, William C Abney Academy Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William C Abney Academy Elementary?
100.0% of students at William C Abney Academy 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,416/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 292
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 454-5541
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
William C. Abney Academy- District Enrollment
- 292
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,043
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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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