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Below Average

#420 of 460 private schools in MI

Zion Lutheran School

Elementary School

1707 S KIESEL ST, Bay City, MI 48706

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

165

Student-Teacher

28:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bay City

#9 of 10

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#284 of 307

About Zion Lutheran School

Zion Lutheran School, located on South Kiesel Street in Bay City, Michigan, offers a nurturing educational environment for students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 165 students and a student-teacher ratio of 28 to 1, the school provides personalized attention despite having only six full-time equivalent teachers. While academic performance data is not available, Zion Lutheran School focuses on fostering strong community ties and supporting each child's unique development needs.

The school’s setting in a small city offers a close-knit atmosphere where students can thrive both academically and socially. With room for growth in its current academic standing, Zion Lutheran School continues to prioritize student well-being and holistic education.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 165 students, Zion Lutheran School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School is 28:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

As a private school, Zion Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Zion Lutheran School compares to 16 public schools serving similar grades in Bay City, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
This School
vs
16.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
165
This School
vs
344
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.6
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 95.2% vs 0%
Black 2.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 2.4% vs 0%
Zion Lutheran School Bay City Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Zion Lutheran School (this school) 4.6
Kolb Elementary School 6.4
Mackensen Elementary School 5.5
MacGregor Elementary School 6.8
Handy Middle School 6.7
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus 6.1
Washington Elementary School 4.4
Christa McAuliffe Middle School 3.6
State Street Academy 6.7
Bangor Township Virtual School 5.8
Hampton Elementary School 4.8
ISDLocal Programs 6.6
McAlearSawden Elem School 5.7
Bangor West Central School 7.6
Bangor Central School 3.2
Bangor Lincoln School 5.0
North Central Academy Campus 6.9

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C- 1.5 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 28:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,260
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 9%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 165
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 95.2%
Black 2.4%
Hispanic 2.4%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1707 S KIESEL ST, Bay City, MI 48706

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Zion Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY (rated 8.2/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bangor West Central School (rated 7.6/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MacGregor Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bay City, see our Bay City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Kolb Elementary School Bay City 0.6 mi 6.4
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 1.2 mi 5.1
Mackensen Elementary School Bay City 1.2 mi 5.5
Handy Middle School Bay City 1.6 mi 6.7
MacGregor Elementary School Bay City 1.4 mi 6.8
TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 1.6 mi 5.1
ALL SAINTS ELEMENTARY Bay City 1.3 mi 8.2
ALL SAINTS CENTRAL MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL Bay City 1.4 mi 8.5
Bay City Academy Farragut Campus Bay City 1.7 mi 6.1
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 1.8 mi 5.7
Christa McAuliffe Middle School Bay City 2.5 mi 3.6
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 2.1 mi 4.8
Bay City Central High School Bay City 1.9 mi 5.8
John Glenn High School Bay City 2.5 mi 6.0
Bangor Township Virtual School Bay City 2.6 mi 5.8
State Street Academy Bay City 2.6 mi 6.7
Washington Elementary School Bay City 2.2 mi 4.4
ISDLocal Programs Bay City 2.7 mi 6.6
Bangor West Central School Bay City 3.0 mi 7.6
FAITH LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 3.1 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48706 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,908

Median Home Value

$142,300

Median Rent

$887/mo

Population

38,756

College Educated

23.6%

Homeownership

77.3%

Avg Commute

21.8 min

Poverty Rate

13.9%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Zion Lutheran School has a median household income of $61,908. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $142,300, with a median rent of $887/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.9%. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Charles C McGlinnen School Clinton Township, MI 4.6
Covert Elementary School Covert, MI 4.6
Gaines Elementary School Gaines, MI 4.6
ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fraser, MI 4.6
Baldwin Elementary School Baldwin, MI 4.5
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville, MI 4.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Zion Lutheran School

What grades does Zion Lutheran School serve?

Zion Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Zion Lutheran School?

Zion Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 165 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at Zion Lutheran School is 28:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Zion Lutheran School rank in MI?

Zion Lutheran School is ranked #420 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is Zion Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

Zion Lutheran School has a composite rating of 4.6 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.

Is Zion Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, Zion Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Zion Lutheran School a religious school?

Zion Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,466/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bay City). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
165
Gender Split
60% M / 40% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Small City
County
BAY
Data Year
2022–2023

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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