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Needs Improvement

#2947 of 3,192 schools in MI

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

3.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,947 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#116 of 126

public schools

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William C Abney Academy Elementary

3.8/10

Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School

8.6/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Living Stones Academy

5.9/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About William C Abney Academy Elementary

William C Abney Academy Elementary is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of William C. Abney Academy. William C Abney Academy Elementary serves approximately 292 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

William C Abney Academy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and ranks #2,947 of 3,192 schools in MI. Structured state assessment records for William C Abney Academy Elementary show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.3 pts below MI schools
  • This school 3.8 · Needs Improvement
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

William C Abney Academy Elementary is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

58% of students at William C Abney Academy Elementary were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.4Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.55 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-36.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.9 pts
Overall Proficiency10% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)12% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,043
Chronic Absenteeism58.2%

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 17.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.7% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 24.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
41.8% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 36 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
89%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
7.5%
ELA
37%
2013
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2016
Math
7.5%
ELA
7.5%
2017
Math
12%
ELA
7.5%
2018
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2019
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
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: 2.4/10.

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
3.8/10
8th percentile in MI
Academic
4.2/10
Below Average
Growth
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
6.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.2%

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. ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Congress Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 7.8/10, 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 5.9
Congress Elementary Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 8.5
Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids 0.8 mi
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.7
ST STEPHEN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 7.7
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.9
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 5.8
Wealthy School Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.3
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 4.6
Bethany Based School Grand Rapids 1.4 mi
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 5.3
Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 6.4
Innovation Central High Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 6.7
Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.8
Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 6.4
East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 8.5
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 7.8
Grand Rapids Public Museum High Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 5.7

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Barack Obama Leadership Academy Detroit, MI 3.8
Estabrook Elementary Ypsilanti, MI 3.8
Fuller Street Elementary School Nashville, MI 3.8
George Crockett Academy Detroit, MI 3.8
Haas Elementary School Genesee, MI 3.8
McGrath Elementary School Grand Blanc, MI 3.8

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 ranks #2,947 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is William C Abney Academy Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

William C Abney Academy Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at William C Abney Academy Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, William C Abney Academy Elementary has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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

Walk Score
87 Very Walkable
Transit Score
31 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.2%

District

William C. Abney Academy
District Enrollment
292
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,043
District Rank
#1 of 1

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