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El Sol Elementary

Q: Is El Sol Elementary a good school?

El Sol Elementary ranks 888 th of 1488 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades K-5

888^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,488 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

El Sol Elementary is a public magnet elementary school in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serving 358 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Kalamazoo Public Schools district, which is ranked 416 out of 613 districts in the state.

While El Sol Elementary has a relatively low student-teacher ratio and high per-student spending, its academic performance, as measured by M-Step test scores, is generally lower than the Kalamazoo district and Michigan state averages across various grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, only 34.5% of 3rd-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 32.1% for the district and 38.9% for the state. The school's performance is particularly low in 5th-grade math, with only 16.4% of students proficient or better, compared to 25% for the district and 32.9% for the state. Additionally, El Sol Elementary has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.6% to 50.2% over the past few years, which is significantly higher than the typical rate for elementary schools in Michigan.

Interestingly, nearby schools like Winchell Elementary and Northglade Montessori School have significantly higher academic performance and lower chronic absenteeism rates than El Sol Elementary. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the percentage of 5th-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts was 68.3% at Winchell and 78.3% at Northglade, compared to only 52.3% at El Sol. The school's leadership and the Kalamazoo Public Schools district may need to implement targeted interventions and strategies to address these challenges and improve the educational experience and outcomes for the students at El Sol Elementary.

368

Students ?

17.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,492

Per pupil spending ?

57.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

604 W Vine St
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-1153

(269) 337-0230

District: Kalamazoo Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.8%

Hispanic:

35.1%

Two or more races:

12.0%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare El Sol Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 18th percentile in 2014 → 40th in 2025

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 22 percentile points since 2014

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (33% vs 39% meeting standards)

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

!Social Studies scores 12 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school33%

District avg32%

Michigan avg39%

888^th of 1,488

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▲ up 5 pts since 2015

From bottom 35% (2015) to bottom 40% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 15Elementary Schools in the Kalamazoo Public Schools

416^th of 613Kalamazoo Public 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
2025	38.4	888 of 1488	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.5	856 of 1486	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.7	1008 of 1470	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	19.7	1081 of 1344	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	56.0	578 of 1408	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.9	824 of 1448	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	36.8	918 of 1466	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	44.7	878 of 1548	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2015	38.2	1029 of 1580	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	22.7	1250 of 1533	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	22.0	1292 of 1563	17.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	20.0	1361 of 1566	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	18.6	1399 of 1552	9.9%	☆☆☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	19.5	156 of 184	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.0	241 of 270	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	38.0	808 of 1338	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	28.3	984 of 1342	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.1	1114 of 1321	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	8.6	1055 of 1106	4.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	56.5	477 of 1171	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.1	663 of 1443	54.1%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	29.9	149 of 209	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	28.9	148 of 201	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.1	162 of 188	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	23.1	68 of 86	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	53.9	33 of 86	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	41.3	128 of 222	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	28.2	988 of 1346	26.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	35.4	891 of 1381	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	21.0	1099 of 1350	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	15.9	972 of 1099	11.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	43.3	653 of 1134	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.3	937 of 1397	32.9%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	29.8	951 of 1366	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	43.8	725 of 1347	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	44.6	707 of 1334	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.4	787 of 1139	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.4	647 of 1196	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.0	950 of 1446	34.3%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	72.5	293 of 1206	75.7%	★★★★☆
2024	85.2	130 of 1204	89.2%	★★★★☆
2023	76.4	238 of 1198	80.1%	★★★★☆
2018	88.4	87 of 1253	93.1%	★★★★★

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)

White (2025)76th percentile+35 vs school

Female (2025)40th percentile~ school

Male (2025)30th percentile-10 vs school

Hispanic (2025)29th percentile-12 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)27th percentile-14 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)15th percentile-27 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts44%~ state avg

Science33%-7 vs state

Math27%-12 vs state

Social Studies18%-12 vs state

4.8

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★3

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, April 30, 2018

Even if this school performs below average, half of the day my son is completely immersed in the Spanish language. By grade 5 he will speak the language fluently with a true understanding of the language and culture of the fastest growing demographic in America. I see nothing but benefits from being bilingual in such a thorough manner. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 26, 2017

Great school with lots of cultural, ethnic, racial, and economic diversity. Considering the high rates of ESL students, the test scores are actually pretty impressive. But more importantly, the children are offered something no other elementary school - public or private - can offer a dual language immersion program with half of the student body as native speakers. Close Quote

by a student
Thursday, June 4, 2015

El sol elementary is a great bilingual school. It teaches students great life lessons, in both spanish and english.

Written by a former student of theirs. G.D Close Quote

by a teacher
Thursday, March 22, 2012

El Sol is a dual-language immersion school (English and Spanish). Our MEAP scores rank above many other Kalamazoo schools. Come visit us and see the wonderful staff and students. Close Quote

Schools Near El Sol Elementary

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				PSAT English Language Arts (2025)	PSAT Mathematics (2025)	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	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
El Sol Elementary	Public, Magnet	K-5	604 W Vine St	Kalamazoo	49008	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0230	368	22	17.0	57.1%	161 (43.8%)	22 (6.0%)	129 (35.1%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (12.0%)	38.4	888^th of 1488 public elementary schools	40.3%		39.5	856^th of 1486 public elementary schools	42.4%	32			34.5	44.7	52.3			36.2	29.2	16.4		33.3		17.9		$17,492	$4,172	$13,319
Woodward Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	606 Stuart Ave	Kalamazoo	49007	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0810	242	19	12.4	92.6%	30 (12.4%)	151 (62.4%)	11 (4.5%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (19.4%)	9.1	1372^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	7.8%		8.8	1367^th of 1486 public elementary schools	8.0%	5			13.9	11.1	17.5			19.4	11.1							$21,618	$4,718	$16,900
Edison Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	831 Lake St	Kalamazoo	49001	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0550	376	28	13.4	96.3%	59 (15.7%)	233 (62.0%)	21 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.4%)	2 (0.5%)	52 (13.8%)	16.5	1237^th of 1488 public elementary schools	16.9%		14	1259^th of 1486 public elementary schools	15.3%	22			29.1	12.5	23.0			32.7	5.4	11.3		24.2		11.3		$19,208	$4,733	$14,474
Lincoln International Studies School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	912 N Burdick St	Kalamazoo	49007	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0640	306	25	12.0	81.0%	71 (23.2%)	162 (52.9%)	14 (4.6%)	14 (4.6%)	12 (3.9%)	1 (0.3%)	32 (10.5%)	7.1	1422^nd of 1488 public elementary schools	4.4%		4.6	1474^th of 1486 public elementary schools	0.8%	52				12.5	9.4			13.6	16.9			5.4				$20,868	$4,379	$16,489
ParkwoodUpjohn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2321 S Park St	Kalamazoo	49001	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(269) 337-0720	427	27	15.7	50.1%	228 (53.4%)	109 (25.5%)	22 (5.2%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	64 (15.0%)	58	595^th of 1488 public elementary schools	60.0%		61.5	530^th of 1486 public elementary schools	64.3%	65			39.3	62.2	48.6			44.0	40.5	24.3		44.3		40.0		$17,148	$3,525	$13,623
Washington Writers Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1919 Portage St	Kalamazoo	49001	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0770	260	18	14.7	94.2%	37 (14.2%)	159 (61.2%)	18 (6.9%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (15.8%)	9.5	1366^th of 1488 public elementary schools	8.2%		9.1	1363^rd of 1486 public elementary schools	8.3%	3			9.8	22.0	10.8				19.5			8.1				$19,237	$4,229	$15,008
Winchell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2316 Winchell Ave	Kalamazoo	49008	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(269) 337-0780	465	25	18.6	42.4%	257 (55.3%)	90 (19.4%)	23 (4.9%)	8 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	84 (18.1%)	86.9	175^th of 1488 public elementary schools	88.2%		79.6	254^th of 1486 public elementary schools	82.9%	79			62.8	57.7	68.3			61.6	55.1	51.2		68.3		62.2		$14,115	$2,723	$11,392
Northglade Montessori School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1914 Cobb Ave	Kalamazoo	49007	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0700	271	14	19.2	46.1%	139 (51.3%)	77 (28.4%)	7 (2.6%)	9 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (14.4%)	82.1	243^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	83.7%		77.1	299^th of 1486 public elementary schools	79.9%	56			56.8	51.3	78.3			50.0	41.0	63.0		69.6		56.5		$18,168	$4,577	$13,592
Paramount Charter Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	3624 S Westnedge Ave	Kalamazoo	49008	Kalamazoo County	Paramount Charter Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(269) 553-6400	373	25	15.1	95.2%	65 (17.4%)	182 (48.8%)	35 (9.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	91 (24.4%)	13.4	1293^rd of 1488 public elementary schools	13.1%		19.2	1172^nd of 1486 public elementary schools	21.1%	121	34.8	13.0	20.5	19.4	16.2	30.4	29.2	11.4	12.9	16.2	13.0	10.8	13.6		21.7	$18,302	$2,477	$15,825
Woods Lake ElementaryA Magnet Center For The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	3215 Oakland Dr	Kalamazoo	49008	Kalamazoo County	Kalamazoo Public Schools	No	Yes	No	Yes	(269) 337-0790	501	26	19.3	78.8%	120 (24.0%)	248 (49.5%)	40 (8.0%)	9 (1.8%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	77 (15.4%)	18.6	1187^th of 1488 public elementary schools	20.2%		18	1201^st of 1486 public elementary schools	19.2%	14			12.8	26.1	36.1			12.5	15.6	19.3		22.9		21.3		$16,870	$3,865	$13,006

Frequently Asked Questions about El Sol Elementary

What is the racial makeup of El Sol Elementary?

Students at El Sol Elementary are 44% White, 35% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 6% African American, 3% American Indian.

How many students attend El Sol Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 368 students attended El Sol Elementary.

Is El Sol Elementary a good school?

El Sol Elementary ranks 888^th of 1488 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is El Sol Elementary in?

Kalamazoo Public Schools

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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.