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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

Charter

Enrollment

292

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15%
Math vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.9 pts
Overall Proficiency10%
Expected (poverty-adj.)12%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,454

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 6.4%
School
State
34.6%
ELA Proficiency 14.9%
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
12%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
5%
ELA
15%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
51th percentile in MI
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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