For the 2025 school year, there are 35 public elementary schools serving 11,790 students in Van Buren County, MI.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Van Buren County, MI are Mattawan Later Elementary School, Bert Goens Learning Center and Mattawan Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Van Buren County, MI public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 44% statewide average). Elementary schools in Van Buren County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Van Buren County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mattawan Later Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Gr: 3-5 | 812 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Bert Goens Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
701 S Paw Paw St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 539-5032
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 539-5032
Gr: PK-12 | 72 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #33.
Mattawan Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Gr: 6-8 | 833 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #44.
Gobles Virtual Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
409 N State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #55.
Wood School Bangor Twp 8
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
29842 66th St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-8562
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-8562
Gr: K-8 | 25 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #66.
Hartford Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
115 School St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7143
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7143
Gr: 6-12 | 121 students Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #77.
Gobles Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
409 N State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9445
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9445
Gr: PK-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #88.
Paw Paw Later Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
612 W North St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5400
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5400
Gr: 3-5 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #99.
Davis Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
409 N Phelps St
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6950
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6950
Gr: K-5 | 349 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1010.
Lawton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Primary Way
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7501
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7501
Gr: PK-4 | 398 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Lincoln School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 Elkenburg St
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0540
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0540
Gr: PK-3 | 227 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1212.
Paw Paw Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
313 W Michigan Ave
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5500
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5500
Gr: 6-8 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
Lawton Accelerated Academic Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 Blue Pride Dr
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7542
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7542
Gr: 5-12 | 37 students Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #1414.
Lawrence Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
714 W Saint Joseph St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8231
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8231
Gr: K-6 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #1515.
Lawton Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 Blue Pride Dr
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7600
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1616.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
72399 12th Ave
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
Gr: PK-3 | 290 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1717.
Gobles High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
409 N State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gr: 6-12 | 383 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1818.
North Shore Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7320 N Shore Dr
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
Gr: 4-5 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1919.
Cedar Street Community And Family Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
555 Cedar St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5700
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5700
Gr: 6-12 | 80 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2020.
Baseline Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7357 Baseline Rd
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0530
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0530
Gr: 6-8 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #2121.
Redwood Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
395 Woodside Dr
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7300
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7300
Gr: K-5 | 528 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2222.
Decatur Jr Sr High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
110 Cedar St
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6851
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6851
Gr: 6-12 | 403 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2323.
Bloomingdale Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
307 E Willow St
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3935
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3935
Gr: K-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #2424.
Bloomingdale Middle And High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
629 E Kalamazoo St
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3910
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3910
Gr: 6-12 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2525.
Bangor Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
803 W Arlington St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6824
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6824
Gr: 5-8 | 294 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #2626.
Maple Creek Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
30 S Walnut St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-7961
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-7961
Gr: K-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #2727.
Bangor Career Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 11-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
801 W Arlington St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6800
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6800
Gr: K-12 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #2828.
South Walnut Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
309 S Walnut St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6863
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6863
Gr: PK-4 | 341 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2929.
Michigan Online School
Charter School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
209 S State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 216-6972
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 216-6972
Gr: K-12 | 1,236 student Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #3030.
Covert Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
35323 M 140 Hwy
Covert, MI 49043
(269) 764-3739
Covert, MI 49043
(269) 764-3739
Gr: PK-5 | 155 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #3131.
Hartford Middle School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
141 School St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7200
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7200
Gr: 6-8 | 314 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #3232.
Pullman Elementary School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5580 South Ave
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 236-5235
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 236-5235
Gr: K-5 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #3333.
Covert Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
35323 M 140 Hwy
Covert, MI 49043
(269) 764-3739
Covert, MI 49043
(269) 764-3739
Gr: 6-8 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: n/an/a
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Gr: PK-2 | 696 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
512 W North St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5300
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5300
Gr: PK-2 | 482 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Van Buren County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
311 East Willow St
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3910
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3910
Gr: 6-8 | 305 students Minority enrollment: 32%
Bloomingdale Online Academy (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
629 E. Kalamazoo St.
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3955
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3955
Gr: 6-12 | 9 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
490 S Paw Paw Street
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8091
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8091
Decatur Alternative Choice School (Closed 2009)
Alternative School
312 School Street
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6145
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6145
Gr: 9-12 | 22 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
405 North Phelps St
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6851
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6851
Gr: 6-8 | 167 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Mattawan Alternative Ed (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
15 East St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7400
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7400
Gr: K-2 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
South Haven Alternative High School (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
554 Green Street
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0523
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0523
Gr: Inquire with school | 21 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Southwest Michigan Community School (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
115 School St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7000
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7000
Gr: 6-12 | 71 students Student-teacher ratio: 71:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Van Buren Early College Health Alliance High School (Closed 2013)
Vocational School
250 South St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8091
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8091
Gr: 7-12
Van Buren Virtual Academy At Lawrence (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
Van Buren Virtual Academy At L
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8761
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8761
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students
West Michigan Virtual - Hartford (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
36 W Main St
Hartford, MI 49057
(616) 232-3322
Hartford, MI 49057
(616) 232-3322
395 Woodside Dr
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7300
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7300
Gr: 3-5 | 311 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Van Buren County, MI?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Van Buren County, MI include Mattawan Later Elementary School, Bert Goens Learning Center and Mattawan Middle School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Van Buren County?
35 public elementary schools are located in Van Buren County.
What is the racial composition of students in Van Buren County?
Van Buren County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 33% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary schools average of 38% (majority Black).
Which public elementary schools in Van Buren County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Van Buren County include: Mattawan Early Elementary School vs. Paw Paw Early Elementary School, Lincoln School vs. Maple Grove Elementary School, Paw Paw Early Elementary School vs. Mattawan Early Elementary School
Recent Articles
Why Single-Sex Public Schools are Growing in Popularity
This article examines the growing trend of single-sex public schools in the United States. It explores the potential benefits, research findings, and controversies surrounding gender-specific education, as well as the factors driving its increasing popularity among parents and educators.
When Teachers Cheat: The Standardized Test Controversies
Teachers across the country are being accused of cheating on standardized tests, using erasers to conveniently change their students’ answers. However, are these teachers driven to cheat because the funding system is flawed?
When Field Trips Turn Deadly: Who is Responsible?
Recent deaths during field trips have parents and school officials questioning the safety of these excursions. Learn about these tragedies and what parameters should be in place to ensure a safe field trip.
