Walters Elementary

Walters Elementary in Marshall, MI, is a high-performing PK-5 school serving 293 students within the Marshall Public Schools district, and it currently holds a 5-star rating while ranking in the 91st percentile of Michigan elementary schools.

What truly sets Walters apart is its remarkable academic growth and consistency. Over the past four years, the school has climbed from the 61st to the 91st percentile statewide—a 30-point jump. Test scores tell the story clearly: in 5th-grade Social Studies, 71.4% of students are proficient, compared to just 35.9% for the district and 27.5% statewide. Similarly, 4th-grade ELA proficiency sits at 81.8%, far outpacing the state average of 41.3%. Perhaps most impressive is the school's success with students from low socio-economic backgrounds, who rank in the 91st percentile themselves. This means Walters is effectively closing achievement gaps while also delivering strong results for every student group—both boys and girls rank in the 89th percentile. The school also keeps chronic absenteeism low at 17.8%, well below the district's 24.7% and the state's 27.9%, which supports a culture of consistent learning.

When compared to nearby schools, Walters stands out as a regional leader. Within its own district, it outperforms Hughes Elementary (81st percentile) and Gordon Elementary (72nd percentile) by wide margins. The contrast with Battle Creek area schools is even starker—Verona Elementary ranks in the 5th percentile, and Fremont International Academy sits at the 26th. Even Mar Lee School, the closest comparable option, trails significantly. Notably, Walters achieves all this while spending less per student ($15,622) than many lower-performing neighbors, making it both highly effective and efficient. The only slight dip appears in 5th-grade Math (62.5% proficiency), though that still doubles the state average—a minor area of focus as students prepare for middle school.