Grayson Elementary

Summary:

Grayson Elementary is a public magnet elementary school in Waterford, Michigan, serving 462 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. As part of the Waterford School District, which is ranked 378 out of 610 districts in Michigan, Grayson Elementary stands out with its relatively strong academic performance compared to the district and state averages.

One key differentiator is Grayson's racial makeup, with a higher percentage of White students (63.64%) compared to nearby schools like Donelson Hills Elementary and Alcott School, which have more diverse student populations. Academically, Grayson Elementary outperforms the district and state in M-Step test scores, with a 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate of 42.5% in 2023-2024, compared to 38.6% for the district and 39.6% for the state. However, the school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 8.1% in 2019-2020 to 22.9% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average.

Grayson Elementary's performance is also noteworthy when compared to nearby schools. It generally outperforms Donelson Hills Elementary and Riverside Elementary, but lags behind the higher-performing Schoolcraft Elementary and the Clarkston Community School District schools, such as North Sashabaw Elementary and Pine Knob Elementary. The high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at Grayson Elementary, coupled with the increasing chronic absenteeism, suggests that socioeconomic factors may be playing a role in the school's performance, as seen in the lower-performing schools in the Pontiac City School District.


Detail:

Public, Magnet K-5

 3800 W Walton Blvd
       Waterford, MI  48329-4269


(248) 674-0200

District: Waterford School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
887th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,675 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  21.3 Help
Number of students:  462

Racial breakdown:

White:
63.6%
Hispanic:
17.3%
African American:
10.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  59.1% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Grayson Elementary ranks worse than 59.7% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 5th among 9 ranked elementary schools in the Waterford School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.89. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Grayson Elementary has the largest elementary school student body size in the Waterford School District. Racial makeup is: White (63.6%), Hispanic (17.3%), African American (10.2%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 59.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Grayson Elementary is 21.3, which is the highest among 9 elementary schools in the Waterford School District! (See more...)
Help
Compare Grayson Elementary employs 21.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Grayson Elementary is $14,675, which is the lowest among 9 elementary schools in the Waterford School District!
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Grayson Elementary:

SchoolDigger ranks Grayson Elementary 887th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Grayson Elementary in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Waterford School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Waterford School District 378th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Grayson Elementary.

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Rank History for Grayson Elementary

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Grayson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 53.80 617th 1466 57.9%
2018 59.67 622nd 1448 57.0%
2019 39.85 837th 1408 40.6%
2021 42.07 637th 1153 44.8%
2022 37.48 804th 1344 40.2%
2023 37.25 892nd 1470 39.3%
2024 37.89 887th 1486 40.3%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Grayson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.81 639th 1397 54.3%
2019 44.51 634th 1134 44.1%
2021 53.72 300th 749 59.9%
2022 36.58 707th 1099 35.7%
2023 36.94 852nd 1350 36.9%
2024 39.55 816th 1381 40.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Grayson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 58.33 613th 1443 57.5%
2019 58.07 461st 1171 60.6%
2021 37.22 575th 902 36.3%
2022 31.20 790th 1106 28.6%
2023 24.06 1001st 1321 24.2%
2024 36.83 826th 1342 38.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Grayson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.66 611th 1446 57.7%
2019 21.65 980th 1196 18.1%
2021 47.84 442nd 915 51.7%
2022 36.51 716th 1139 37.1%
2023 43.43 726th 1334 45.6%
2024 39.46 794th 1347 41.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Grayson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.65 124th 222 44.1%
2023 29.75 132nd 188 29.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Grayson Elementary

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.46 492nd 1253 60.7%
2019 44.97 625th 1128 44.6%
2021 52.58 439th 1005 56.3%
2022 40.41 661st 1102 40.0%
2023 37.40 776th 1198 35.2%
2024 38.62 742nd 1204 38.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Grayson Elementary Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
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Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 4.7)
86%

0%

14%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, October 17, 2019

Open Quote Grayson is a great school with awesome teachers and support staff! I wouldn’t send my children anywhere else if given a choice! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Open Quote Teachers and staff are passionate about their students. I believe they are some of the best teachers. Teachers have worked with me to help me understand where my students are struggling, they work to inspire students to be self motivated. When difficulty has happened they have done their best to resolve issues.
The one negative is the bus driver shortages that all districts seem to have currently. But Grayson is doing it's best to make drop off/pick up efficient and safe Close Quote



Enrollment information for Grayson Elementary

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2015 384 37 17 75 1 1 26 0 541
2016 366 28 18 80 0 1 29 0 522
2017 363 43 16 77 0 0 34 0 533
2018 357 45 16 68 1 0 39 0 526
2019 314 43 13 75 1 0 30 0 476
2020 317 47 14 75 1 0 33 0 487
2021 298 39 11 72 1 0 29 0 450
2022 280 41 8 68 4 0 25 0 426
2023 294 47 9 80 3 0 29 0 462

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Grayson Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2015 541 28.0 19.3 24
2016 522 27.0 19.3 49
2017 533 25.6 20.8 47.3
2018 526 24.0 21.9 51.7
2019 476 28.5 16.7 53.6
2020 487 26.8 18.1 54
2021 450 25.6 17.5 53.6
2022 426 24.2 17.6 58
2023 462 21.6 21.3 59.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Grayson Elementary

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2015 541 28.0 19.3 24
2016 522 27.0 19.3 49
2017 533 25.6 20.8 47.3
2018 526 24.0 21.9 51.7
2019 476 28.5 16.7 53.6
2020 487 26.8 18.1 54
2021 450 25.6 17.5 53.6
2022 426 24.2 17.6 58
2023 462 21.6 21.3 59.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Grayson Elementary

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,158 (10.0%) $10,394 (90.0%) $11,553
2020 $966 (8.7%) $10,106 (91.3%) $11,072
2021 $1,398 (11.9%) $10,363 (88.1%) $11,761
2022 $1,486 (11.8%) $11,068 (88.2%) $12,554
2023 $2,282 (15.6%) $12,393 (84.4%) $14,675

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Grayson Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 837th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 892nd of 1470 Elementary schools
 1.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Grayson Elementary)53.537
 16.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)44.838.6
 6.2%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Grayson Elementary)39.437
 2.4%
   3rd Grade Math (Waterford School District)37.134.8
 2.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Grayson Elementary)46.640.5
 6.1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)50.943.9
 7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Grayson Elementary)2631.1
 5.1%
   4th Grade Math (Waterford School District)44.237.9
 6.3%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Grayson Elementary)41.144.8
 3.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Waterford School District)41.946
 4.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Grayson Elementary)39.327.6
 11.7%
   5th Grade Math (Waterford School District)28.326.7
 1.6%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Grayson Elementary)10.712.1
 1.4%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Waterford School District)15.114.9
 0.2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students476462
 2.9%
African American4347
 9.3%
American Indian13
 200%
Asian139
 30.8%
Hispanic7580
 6.7%
Pacific Islander00
White314294
 6.4%
Two or More Races3029
 3.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients53.6%59.1%
 5.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Grayson Elementary

Students at Grayson Elementary are 64% White, 17% Hispanic, 10% African American, 6% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 462 students attended Grayson Elementary.

Grayson Elementary ranks 887th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.


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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.





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