Excellent
#390 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 12% in state
William G Mather Elementary School
Elementary School · Munising Public Schools
411 ELM AVE, Munising, MI 49862
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
242
Student-Teacher
12.7:1
Score
8.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Munising
#1 of 2
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#263 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 2
Munising Public Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About William G Mather Elementary School
William G Mather Elementary School serves 242 students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Munising, Michigan. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.7 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition as a strong performer within Michigan's elementary education landscape, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranking #428 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 87th percentile.
This solid academic standing reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a small school environment. Located in Alger County's remote rural setting, William G Mather Elementary serves a community where the median household income is $54,940 and the poverty rate stands at 8.9%. About 20% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and median home values average $141,600.
The school's ZIP code area has a population of 4,524 residents. The elementary school operates as a regular public school, providing foundational education in this close-knit Upper Peninsula community. Students benefit from the intimate learning environment that comes with being part of a smaller school in rural Michigan's scenic landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, William G Mather Elementary 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
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William G Mather Elementary School — Students at William G Mather Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 8.4/10.
How William G Mather Elementary School Compares
See how William G Mather Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 29.72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 44.5% (2022).
Location
411 ELM AVE, Munising, MI 49862
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William G Mather Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 37.0 miles away, in nearby Manistique), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Emerald Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 37.2 miles away, in nearby Manistique), a more accessible option. For more schools in Munising, see our Munising schools guide .
Nearby Schools
11 within 36.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Munising High and Middle School Munising | 0.7 mi | 6.5 |
| MUNISING BAPTIST SCHOOL Wetmore | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Superior Central School Eben Junction | 15.5 mi | 5.5 |
| AuTrainOnota Public School Deerton | 18.9 mi | — |
| Jack Reque Alternative High School Manistique | 33.8 mi | — |
| TriTownship School Rapid River | 36.5 mi | 7.4 |
| BETHEL BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Manistique | 36.5 mi | — |
| Manistique Middle and High School Manistique | 36.8 mi | 4.7 |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Manistique | 37.0 mi | 7.3 |
| Emerald Elementary School Manistique | 37.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Mid Peninsula School Rock | 36.5 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49862 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$59,575
Median Home Value
$150,900
Median Rent
$718/mo
Population
4,532
College Educated
19.8%
Homeownership
78.9%
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
47.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding William G Mather Elementary School has a median household income of $59,575. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,900, with a median rent of $718/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Angell School Ann Arbor, MI | 8.0 |
| Avoca Elementary School Avoca, MI | 8.0 |
| Barton Elementary School Detroit, MI | 8.0 |
| Bridgman Elementary School Bridgman, MI | 8.0 |
| Commonwealth Community Development Academy Hamtramck, MI | 8.0 |
| Dimondale Elementary School Dimondale, MI | 8.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William G Mather Elementary School
What grades does William G Mather Elementary School serve?
William G Mather Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend William G Mather Elementary School?
William G Mather Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 242 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William G Mather Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at William G Mather Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William G Mather Elementary School rank in MI?
William G Mather Elementary School is ranked #390 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is William G Mather Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
William G Mather Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 G Mather Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William G Mather Elementary School has 31.3% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William G Mather Elementary School a charter school?
No, William G Mather Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William G Mather Elementary School a Title I school?
No, William G Mather Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William G Mather Elementary School?
56.2% of students at William G Mather Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 242
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Alger County
- Phone
- (906) 387-2102
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Munising Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 572
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,596
- 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 methodologyRelated reading
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