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John M Barnes Elementary School

Q: Is John M Barnes Elementary School a good school?

John M Barnes Elementary School ranks 1040 th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 3-5

1040^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 30% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

John M Barnes Elementary School in Flat Rock, MI, serves 353 students in grades 3 through 5 as part of the Flat Rock Community Schools district, and it has faced significant academic challenges in recent years, currently ranking in the 30th percentile statewide.

The most striking issue at John M Barnes is chronic absenteeism. For the 2024-2025 school year, 33.2% of students were chronically absent—nearly 10 percentage points higher than the state average and more than double the rate at nearby Chapman Elementary School (13.4%) and Hunter Elementary School (17.4%). This attendance problem is systemic within the district, as the feeder school, Ethel C Bobcean Elementary School, has an even higher chronic absenteeism rate of 44.8%. The connection between attendance and achievement is clear: while only 18.6% of Barnes 3rd graders were proficient in math in 2025-2026, Hunter Elementary—with far better attendance—saw 72.1% of its 3rd graders reach proficiency. Academic proficiency at Barnes trails state averages by 10 to 20 percentage points in both math and English Language Arts across all grade levels.

There are a few bright spots worth noting. Fifth-grade science scores (36.5% proficient) are much closer to the state average (40%) than other subjects, suggesting a potential area of strength. The school has also shown slight improvement, climbing from the low-20th percentiles in recent years to the 30th percentile this year. However, the school's history reveals a sharp decline from its peak in 2015-2016 when it ranked in the 73rd percentile. With roughly half of students (48.7%) qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and nearby schools in the Gibraltar School District and Woodhaven-Brownstown School District achieving far better outcomes with lower absenteeism, improving attendance appears to be the single most impactful lever for raising academic performance at John M Barnes.

353

Students ?

16.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,768

Per pupil spending ?

48.7%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

24925 Meadows Ave
Flat Rock, MI 48134-2754

(734) 535-6800

District: Flat Rock Community Schools

Students who attend John M Barnes Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Thomas Simpson Middle School
High:	Flat Rock Community High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.0%

African American:

7.9%

Two or more races:

7.1%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare John M Barnes Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 73rd percentile in 2016 → 30th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (26% vs 38% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 43 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school26%

District avg26%

Michigan avg38%

1,040^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 30%▼ down 42 pts since 2016

From top 27% (2016) to bottom 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

374^th of 625Flat Rock Community Schools 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
2026	27.9	1040 of 1492	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	20.6	1147 of 1488	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.2	1102 of 1486	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.0	1057 of 1470	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.8	1049 of 1344	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	30.2	813 of 1153	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.3	967 of 1408	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	43.8	886 of 1448	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	56.5	560 of 1466	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	69.1	423 of 1548	72.7%	★★★★☆
2015	55.5	702 of 1580	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	43.3	957 of 1533	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	56.7	717 of 1563	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	63.5	550 of 1566	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	70.6	471 of 1552	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2010	68.6	576 of 1552	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	57.8	857 of 1589	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	61.4	730 of 1577	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2007	61.9	694 of 1565	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2006	53.8	885 of 1545	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	21.6	1066 of 1343	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.2	1096 of 1338	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	14.7	1174 of 1342	12.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.4	1091 of 1321	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	13.2	1008 of 1106	8.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	26.0	704 of 902	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	26.5	886 of 1171	24.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	42.6	866 of 1443	40.0%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	73.0	38 of 222	82.9%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	27.4	1001 of 1352	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	13.3	1230 of 1346	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	18.7	1171 of 1381	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	28.3	987 of 1350	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	18.3	941 of 1099	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	23.4	641 of 749	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	27.3	874 of 1134	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	38.4	918 of 1397	34.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	26.5	990 of 1372	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	14.8	1176 of 1366	13.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	27.1	968 of 1347	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.5	979 of 1334	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.4	927 of 1139	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.6	772 of 915	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.5	922 of 1196	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	42.6	858 of 1446	40.7%	★★☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	48.3	50 of 104	51.9%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	17.4	218 of 246	11.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	40.9	120 of 195	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	35.6	261 of 403	35.2%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	19.4	1012 of 1199	15.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	12.3	1107 of 1206	8.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	18.3	1044 of 1204	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.1	1039 of 1198	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	15.4	986 of 1102	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	26.4	775 of 1005	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.4	943 of 1128	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.8	930 of 1253	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Hispanic (2018)83rd percentile+44 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)52nd percentile+22 vs school

Male (2026)28th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)26th percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)21st percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)16th percentile-15 vs school

Special Education (2026)11th percentile-19 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Science36%-4 vs state

English Language Arts29%-13 vs state

Social Studies22%-6 vs state

Math22%-16 vs state

★

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Schools Near John M Barnes Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				M-Step English Language Arts (2026)			M-Step Math (2026)			M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Vaccination (2025-26)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
John M Barnes Elementary School	Public	3-5	24925 Meadows Ave	Flat Rock	48134	Wayne County	Flat Rock Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 535-6800	353	21	16.6	48.7%	279 (79.0%)	28 (7.9%)	19 (5.4%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (7.1%)	27.9	1040^th of 1492 public elementary schools	30.3%		20.6	1147^th of 1488 public elementary schools	22.9%	107	29.7	23.4	32.2	18.6	22.5	24.3	36.5	21.9			$15,768	$1,563	$14,205
Ethel C Bobcean Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	28300 Evergreen St	Flat Rock	48134	Wayne County	Flat Rock Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 535-6900	376	22	16.8	54.5%	292 (77.7%)	26 (6.9%)	28 (7.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (7.4%)								(n/a)									87.3%	7.1%	$17,094	$1,505	$15,588
Huron AI Center FRCS Bobcean Program	Public	PK, KG-2	28300 Evergreen St	Flat Rock	48164	Wayne County	Huron School District	No	No	No	No	(734) 379-6360	0	3	.0	—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)											$64,276	$3,814	$60,462
Chapman Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	31500 Olmstead Rd	Rockwood	48173	Wayne County	Gibraltar School District	No	No	No	No	(734) 379-6380	434	27	16.0	32.9%	364 (83.9%)	19 (4.4%)	25 (5.8%)	8 (1.8%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.7%)	62.8	519^th of 1492 public elementary schools	65.2%		64.1	505^th of 1488 public elementary schools	66.1%	14	52.2	34.8	43.9	56.7	37.7	40.4	49.1	40.4	84.6%	10.8%	$16,133	$690	$15,443
Fred W Ritter Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	5650 Carleton Rockwood Rd	South Rockwood	48179	Monroe County	Airport Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 379-5335	265	16	16.4	69.4%	228 (86.0%)	4 (1.5%)	19 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (5.3%)	22.3	1135^th of 1492 public elementary schools	23.9%		32.4	976^th of 1488 public elementary schools	34.4%	159	19.1	29.6		34.0	16.7				96.2%	1.9%	$14,626	$1,555	$13,071
Hunter Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	21320 Roche Rd	Brownstown Township	48183	Wayne County	Gibraltar School District	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 379-6390	418	29	14.4	39.0%	331 (79.2%)	22 (5.3%)	38 (9.1%)	7 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.5%)	79.1	280^th of 1492 public elementary schools	81.2%		71.3	398^th of 1488 public elementary schools	73.3%	118	59.0	50.0	60.0	72.1	52.7	45.5	52.7	40.0	88.2%	11.8%	$18,292	$1,174	$17,119
Frank E Weiss Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	26631 Reaume St	Woodhaven	48183	Wayne County	Gibraltar School District	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 379-7060	285	18	15.9	41.1%	185 (64.9%)	41 (14.4%)	35 (12.3%)	4 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.0%)	60.6	549^th of 1492 public elementary schools	63.2%		54.8	649^th of 1488 public elementary schools	56.4%	100	53.5	33.3	47.9	62.8	29.2	45.8	45.8	31.3	74.4%	16.3%	$18,407	$1,416	$16,991
Wegienka Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	23925 Arsenal Rd	Flat Rock	48134	Wayne County	Woodhaven-Brownstown School District	No	No	No	No	(734) 783-3367	392	24	16.4	37.8%	249 (63.5%)	46 (11.7%)	52 (13.3%)	18 (4.6%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.4%)	66.5	462^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	69.0%		71.4	394^th of 1488 public elementary schools	73.5%	68	46.2	45.7		59.0	44.4				87.2%	6.4%	$17,685	$904	$16,782
Erving Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	24175 Hall Rd	Woodhaven	48183	Wayne County	Woodhaven-Brownstown School District	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 692-2212	379	23	16.6	51.2%	241 (63.6%)	55 (14.5%)	52 (13.7%)	12 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.0%)	59.7	560^th of 1492 public elementary schools	62.5%		54.8	650^th of 1488 public elementary schools	56.3%	90	40.3	50.0		45.8	43.6				91.4%	2.9%	$17,930	$2,132	$15,798
Brown Elementary School	Public	1-5	25485 Middlebelt Rd	New Boston	48164	Wayne County	Huron School District	No	No	No	Yes	(734) 782-2716	434	29	14.7	29.7%	368 (84.8%)	12 (2.8%)	32 (7.4%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.1%)	74.8	340^th of 1492 public elementary schools	77.2%		58.1	591^st of 1488 public elementary schools	60.3%	251	47.1	52.9	57.0	58.6	54.0	54.4	50.6	32.9			$16,620	$1,210	$15,410

Frequently Asked Questions about John M Barnes Elementary School

How many students attend John M Barnes Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 353 students attended John M Barnes Elementary School.

Is John M Barnes Elementary School a good school?

John M Barnes Elementary School ranks 1040^th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of John M Barnes Elementary School attend?

Students who attend John M Barnes Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Thomas Simpson Middle School
High : Flat Rock Community High School

What is the racial makeup of John M Barnes Elementary School?

Students at John M Barnes Elementary School are 79% White, 8% African American, 7% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic.

What district is John M Barnes Elementary School in?

Flat Rock Community Schools

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2021–22 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

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.