Bowen Elementary

Bowen Elementary, a reasonably sized elementary-level community in GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, operated by Kentwood Public Schools, works with 357 students, covering grades pre-K through 5.

Within Kentwood Public Schools, which oversees 16 schools and 9,536 students, Bowen Elementary is one campus in the system.

Demographically, Bowen Elementary reports that 35% of students identify as Black, with the remaining enrollment distributed across several groups. The remainder reads as 24% Asian, 18% Hispanic, 18% White, 5% multiracial. By comparison, Kent County as a whole is about 10% Black, so the school skews noticeably more Black than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, The school employs 23 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 15.3:1. That tracks the state average closely. An estimated 78% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, often used as a Title I proxy. By comparison, Kent County runs at roughly 47%, so the school's eligibility rate is above the surrounding baseline.

After controlling for student poverty, Bowen Elementary tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 31.7% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 37.3%.

Around the school, ACS estimates for Kent County put median household earnings sit near $82,631, roughly 41% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 6% of residents live below the federal poverty line. Bowen Elementary is one of 239 public schools in Kent County (combined enrollment of about 97,253 students).

Nearest neighbor: Meadowlawn Elementary, around 0.8 miles off. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Bowen Elementary at 5th of 6; the average score across the group is 43.2%.

Geographically, the school is in a metropolitan area.

Looking at the recent track record. Over the past 7-year window, the student count increased 6%: 338 students in 2018 compared to 357 in 2025. Hispanic enrollment moved from 8% to 18% across the same window. Class-load math has pulled in: from 17.4:1 in 2018 to 15.3:1 in 2025.

On allk12, the feed for Bowen Elementary typically covers open house dates, ride-share offers, and field-trip permission slips. Contributors range from current parents to recent graduates and teachers.