Paw Paw Later Elementary

Paw Paw Later Elementary serves 453 students in grades 3-5 in the village of Paw Paw, Michigan, as part of the Paw Paw Public School District, which also operates Paw Paw Early Elementary just down the road for younger students.

This school's standout feature is its remarkable attendance record. Only 16% of students are chronically absent, which is nearly half the state average of 27.9% and far better than nearby schools like Bloomingdale Elementary (41.7%) or Prairie Ridge Elementary (33.9%). That consistency shows up in the classroom, too—especially by 5th grade. While 3rd and 4th graders score slightly below state averages in reading and math, 5th graders surge ahead: 54.1% are proficient in English Language Arts (10 points above the state), and they also outperform the state in science (50.7% vs. 40%) and social studies. This "5th grade surge" suggests the upper-grade teaching team has found strategies that work, and the school is spending its money efficiently—about $14,587 per student, less than many neighboring districts that post weaker results.

Still, there are areas to watch. Math proficiency in 3rd and 4th grades trails the state by 6-7 points, and reading scores have bounced around year to year, which can be unsettling for families. Students receiving special education services have historically scored in the bottom quartile statewide, though recent years show meaningful improvement. When compared to Mattawan Later Elementary, just 5 miles away, the academic gap is significant—Mattawan's students score 20-40 points higher in math—but Paw Paw serves a higher percentage of students from low-income households (37.5% vs. 25.3%). For parents, this is a solid, mid-performing school with a strong attendance culture, efficient spending, and clear evidence that students gain momentum as they move through the grades.