Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Washington Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1185^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,488 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 20% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Washington Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Bay City, Michigan, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 390 students. The school is part of the Bay City School District, which is ranked 352 out of 613 districts in Michigan and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Washington Elementary School consistently ranks in the bottom 20% of Michigan elementary schools, with a ranking between 1,118 and 1,272 out of around 1,500 schools over the past 10 years. The school's performance on state assessments (M-Step) is significantly below the Bay City School District and Michigan state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math were 20-31% and 13.3-23.1%, respectively, compared to district averages of 34-43.1% and 28.4-31.6%. The school's performance on state assessments has been declining over the past few years, with proficiency rates dropping in both English Language Arts and Math.

Washington Elementary School has a high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, with 93.59% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year. The nearby schools within the Bay City School District (such as McAlearSawden, Mackensen, MacGregor, and Kolb Elementary Schools) generally perform better than Washington Elementary School on state assessments, with higher proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Math. However, these nearby schools also have higher percentages of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

362

Students ?

12.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,041

Per pupil spending ?

91.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1821 McKinley St
Bay City, MI 48708-6735

(989) 894-2744

District: Bay City School District

Students who attend Washington Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Handy Middle School
High:	Bay City Central High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.6%

Hispanic:

21.0%

Two or more races:

14.1%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Washington Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 3rd percentile in 2021 → 20th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 20th (2025) from a 3rd-percentile low (2021)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (22% vs 39% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (20th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (46% vs 28% Michigan)

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school22%

District avg33%

Michigan avg39%

1,185^th of 1,488

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 20%▼ down 5 pts since 2015

From bottom 25% (2015) to bottom 20% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 7Elementary Schools in the Bay City School District

352^nd of 613Bay City School District among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	18.8	1185 of 1488	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.5	1244 of 1486	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	12.3	1272 of 1470	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	7.7	1254 of 1344	6.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	5.9	1123 of 1153	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	12.9	1234 of 1408	12.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.4	1173 of 1448	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	17.3	1207 of 1466	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	29.3	1118 of 1548	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	28.8	1179 of 1580	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	30.6	1156 of 1533	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	34.9	1111 of 1563	28.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	31.5	1197 of 1566	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	32.4	1267 of 1552	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	30.3	1306 of 1552	15.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	18.5	1427 of 1589	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	13.4	1470 of 1577	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2007	11.3	1487 of 1565	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2006	16.2	1428 of 1545	7.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	9.6	1262 of 1338	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	8.7	1259 of 1342	6.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.1	1266 of 1321	4.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.3	1097 of 1171	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	18.1	1220 of 1443	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	34.6	133 of 209	36.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	31.1	947 of 1346	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.2	1102 of 1381	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.0	1126 of 1350	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	7.7	738 of 749	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	18.7	977 of 1134	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	33.5	1003 of 1397	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	22.1	1050 of 1366	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.5	1027 of 1347	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	15.9	1128 of 1334	15.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	11.1	1109 of 1196	7.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	27.8	1083 of 1446	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	44.1	37 of 81	54.3%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	26.0	337 of 403	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	9.7	1149 of 1206	4.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.4	1158 of 1204	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	7.5	1158 of 1198	3.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	7.4	1073 of 1102	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	10.3	961 of 1005	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	6.8	1104 of 1128	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.3	1181 of 1253	5.7%	☆☆☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Multi-racial (2018)54th percentile+35 vs school

Hispanic (2025)36th percentile+16 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)30th percentile+9 vs school

Male (2025)23rd percentile+3 vs school

Special Education (2018)16th percentile-3 vs school

Female (2025)6th percentile-15 vs school

White (2025)5th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts25%-17 vs state

Science21%-19 vs state

Social Studies20%-10 vs state

Math19%-19 vs state

2.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

Rate Washington Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a citizen
Tuesday, May 7, 2019

About a year ago or so, the leadership changed for the worse. The old principal had a heart and competence. The substitute principal, who should have never been hired in as full-time, lacks compassion and competence. Hopefully, this principal will retire or be removed soon. Some great teachers here, but a few who are immature and lacking competence and a heart as well. Close Quote

Schools Near Washington Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				M-Step English Language Arts (2025)			M-Step Math (2025)			M-Step Science (2025)	M-Step Social Studies (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Washington Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1821 McKinley St	Bay City	48708	Bay County	Bay City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 894-2744	362	30	12.0	91.2%	212 (58.6%)	23 (6.4%)	76 (21.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (14.1%)	18.8	1185^th of 1488 public elementary schools	20.4%		15.5	1244^th of 1486 public elementary schools	16.3%	59	20.0	25.0	31.0	23.1	13.3	21.4	21.4	19.5	$12,041	$1,728	$10,313
Hampton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1908 W Youngs Ditch Rd	Bay City	48708	Bay County	Bay City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 893-1100	399	24	16.6	68.7%	267 (66.9%)	14 (3.5%)	72 (18.0%)	5 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (10.0%)	34.7	944^th of 1488 public elementary schools	36.6%		39.9	849^th of 1486 public elementary schools	42.9%	95	29.2	22.9	45.9	18.5	18.6	33.8	45.9	21.6	$10,583	$1,348	$9,235
WR Bush Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-1	800 Nebobish Ave	Essexville	48732	Bay County	Essexville-Hampton Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 894-9760	236	17	13.8	46.6%	202 (85.6%)	1 (0.4%)	27 (11.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.1%)								(n/a)									$12,560	$926	$11,634
MacGregor Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1012 Fremont St	Bay City	48708	Bay County	Bay City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 892-1558	290	26	11.3	91.7%	181 (62.4%)	12 (4.1%)	63 (21.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (11.4%)	11.6	1325^th of 1488 public elementary schools	11.0%		16.8	1225^th of 1486 public elementary schools	17.6%	100	12.5	23.9	20.0		17.4		18.2	5.6	$12,790	$2,056	$10,735
Kolb Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	305 W Crump St	Bay City	48706	Bay County	Bay City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 893-9518	451	32	13.9	72.5%	325 (72.1%)	15 (3.3%)	66 (14.6%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (9.1%)	38.4	887^th of 1488 public elementary schools	40.4%		37.4	895^th of 1486 public elementary schools	39.8%	8	37.9	40.7	36.5	42.4	25.4	17.6	35.1	27.0	$12,349	$1,523	$10,826
Mackensen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5535 Dennis Dr	Bay City	48706	Bay County	Bay City School District	No	No	No	No	(989) 684-4941	265	18	14.6	36.2%	222 (83.8%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (8.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.5%)	49.6	721^st of 1488 public elementary schools	51.5%		55.2	631^st of 1486 public elementary schools	57.5%	90	51.1	28.3	46.8	31.9	34.8	38.3	44.7	29.8	$11,841	$791	$11,050
Bangor West Central School	Public	K-5	3175 Wilder Rd	Bay City	48706	Bay County	Bangor Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 684-3373	361	14	26.4	52.1%	294 (81.4%)	4 (1.1%)	38 (10.5%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.8%)	56.7	615^th of 1488 public elementary schools	58.7%		43.2	796^th of 1486 public elementary schools	46.4%	181	58.6	45.9	44.3	46.6	42.6	23.0	42.6	34.4	$11,263	$1,436	$9,826
Bangor Central School	Public	PK, KG-5	208 State Park Dr	Bay City	48706	Bay County	Bangor Township Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 684-8891	332	15	22.6	68.1%	271 (81.6%)	7 (2.1%)	30 (9.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.2%)	38.5	886^th of 1488 public elementary schools	40.5%		47.3	739^th of 1486 public elementary schools	50.3%	147	19.0	33.9	41.0	34.5	32.1	37.7	44.3	18.0	$13,424	$1,746	$11,679
Verellen Elementary School	Public	2-4	612 Borton Rd	Essexville	48732	Bay County	Essexville-Hampton Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 894-9770	314	14	22.4	46.2%	280 (89.2%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (5.1%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.8%)	47	764^th of 1488 public elementary schools	48.7%		43.1	800^th of 1486 public elementary schools	46.2%	36	36.5	33.3		51.0	36.3				$12,092	$948	$11,143
McAlearSawden Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2300 Midland Rd	Bay City	48706	Bay County	Bay City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 684-7702	378	26	14.5	54.0%	310 (82.0%)	5 (1.3%)	34 (9.0%)	5 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	22 (5.8%)	41.3	840^th of 1488 public elementary schools	43.5%		34.6	941^st of 1486 public elementary schools	36.7%	101	39.3	39.3	42.9	41.0	26.3	27.0	34.4	24.2	$12,105	$1,684	$10,421

Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Elementary School

How many students attend Washington Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 362 students attended Washington Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Washington Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Washington Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Handy Middle School
High : Bay City Central High School

What district is Washington Elementary School in?

Bay City School District

Is Washington Elementary School a good school?

Washington Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.4% of Michigan elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Washington Elementary School?

Students at Washington Elementary School are 59% White, 21% Hispanic, 14% Two or more races, 6% African American.

Rate Washington Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MIMichigan Elementary School Rankings

MIMichigan District Rankings

Schools in Bay City, MI

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Washington Elementary School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.