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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Grand Rapids Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 129 public schools serving 50,230 students in Grand Rapids, MI (there are 41 private schools, serving 9,002 private students). 86% of all K-12 students in Grand Rapids, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Grand Rapids, MI are Knapp Forest Elementary School, East Grand Rapids High School and Goodwillie Environmental School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Grand Rapids, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Grand Rapids have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Knapp Forest Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
4243 Knapp Valley Dr Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 493-8980
Gr: PK-5 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
East Grand Rapids High School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2211 Lake Dr Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 235-7555
Gr: 9-12 | 908 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Goodwillie Environmental School
Magnet School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
8400 2 Mile Rd Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-8633
Gr: 5-6 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Thornapple Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
6932 Bridgewater Dr Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-8920
Gr: PK-4 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #55.
Central High School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5901 Hall St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-8700
Gr: 9-12 | 999 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #66.
Lakeside School
(Math: 68% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2325 Hall St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 235-7553
Gr: K-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #77.
East Grand Rapids Middle School
(Math: 69% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2425 Lake Dr Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 235-7551
Gr: 6-8 | 710 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #88.
Pine Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3250 Redford Dr Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-8910
Gr: PK-4 | 472 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Northern Hills Middle School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 77%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3775 Leonard St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 493-8650
Gr: 7-8 | 515 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1010.
City High Middle School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 83%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1720 Plainfield Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 819-2380
Gr: 7-12 | 955 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #1111.
Northern High School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
3801 Leonard St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 493-8600
Gr: 9-12 | 1,088 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #1212.
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
5363 44th St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 446-8886
Gr: 9-12 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #1313.
Breton Downs School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2500 Boston St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 235-7552
Gr: PK-5 | 451 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #1414.
Meadow Brook Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1450 Forest Hill Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-8740
Gr: K-4 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1515.
Wealthy School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1961 Lake Dr Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 235-7550
Gr: K-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1616.
Blandford School
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3143 Milo St Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
(616) 819-2555
Gr: 6 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1717.
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Charter School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
409 Lafayette Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 459-0330
Gr: K-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1818.
Excel Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
4201 Breton Rd Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49512
(616) 281-9339
Gr: PK-12 | 791 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1919.
Northern Trails 56 School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
3777 Leonard St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 493-8990
Gr: 5-6 | 520 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2020.
Orchard View Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2770 Leffingwell Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 493-8930
Gr: K-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2121.
Collins Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4368 Heather Ln Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
(616) 493-8900
Gr: PK-4 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #2222.
Walker Charter Academy
Charter School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 66%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1801 3 Mile Rd Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
(616) 785-2700
Gr: K-8 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #2323.
Center For Economicology
(Math: 50-59% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1720 Plainfield Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 819-2380
Gr: 6 | 60 students Student-teacher ratio: 30:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2424.
Grandville Cummings Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4261 Schoolcraft St Sw
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
(616) 254-6040
Gr: PK-6 | 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2525.
West Oakview Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
3880 Stuyvesant Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 361-3470
Gr: PK-4 | 240 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2626.
North Oakview Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4300 Costa Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 361-3450
Gr: PK-4 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #2727.
Grand Rapids Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
435 Fulton St E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2010
Gr: 9-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #2828.
Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
4252 3 Mile Rd Nw
Grand Rapids, MI 49534
(616) 453-6351
Gr: K-5 | 538 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 26%
Rank: #2929.
Ottawa High Transition
Special Education School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2055 Rosewood Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
(616) 819-2900
Gr: 9-12 | 14 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #3030.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2461 60th St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
(616) 871-1080
Gr: K-5 | 674 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #3131.
Northview Next Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
5365 Plainfield Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 361-7396
Gr: 9-12 | 136 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3232.
Southeast Kelloggsville School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
240 52nd St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
(616) 532-1590
Gr: K-2 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1501 Cedar St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 304-8537
Gr: K-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%
Rank: #33 - 3433. - 34.
Northview Next Career Center
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3801 E Beltline Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
(616) 361-7396
Gr: 9-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #3535.
John Ball Park Zoo School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1300 Fulton St W
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 819-3344
Gr: 6 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Show 94 more public schools in Grand Rapids, MI (out of 129 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Grand Rapids, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Grand Rapids, MI include Knapp Forest Elementary School, East Grand Rapids High School and Goodwillie Environmental School.
How many public schools are located in Grand Rapids?
133 public schools are located in Grand Rapids.
What percentage of students in Grand Rapids go to public school?
86% of all K-12 students in Grand Rapids are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Grand Rapids?
Grand Rapids public schools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Grand Rapids are often viewed compared to one another?

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