Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in 49503 (Grand Rapids, MI) (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best 49503 Michigan Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 17 public schools serving 4,528 students in 49503, MI (there are 4 private schools, serving 803 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in 49503, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in 49503, MI are Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center, Grand Rapids Learning Center and Lighthouse Academy Waalkes. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Public schools in zipcode 49503 have an average math proficiency score of 15% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 27% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in 49503, MI have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Best 49503, MI Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
Lighthouse Academy The Pier
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
703 Ball Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 304-8537
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #55.
Bethany Based School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
901 Eastern Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 245-7708
Gr: 6-12 | 12 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 25%
Rank: #66.
Grand Rapids Public Museum High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
54 Jefferson Ave Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-6450
Gr: 9-12 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #77.
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
159 College Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2405
Gr: PK-12 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #88.
Coit Creative Arts Academy
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
617 Coit Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2390
Gr: PK-5 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #99.
Grand Rapids Montessori Middlehigh
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
421 Fountain St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2405
Gr: 7-12 | 184 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1010.
Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue
(Math: 17% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
801 Oakland Ave Sw
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2947
Gr: PK-6 | 661 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 93%
Rank: #1111.
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 25%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
512 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-1010
Gr: 6-12 | 494 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Rank: #1212.
Innovation Central High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
421 Fountain St Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2310
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 90%
Rank: #1313.
Southwest Middlehigh Academia Bilingue
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
327 Rumsey St Sw
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-3160
Gr: 7-12 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1414.
Cesar E Chavez Elementary School
(Math: 5% | Reading: 13%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1205 Grandville Ave Sw
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2560
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1515.
William C Abney Academy Elementary School
Magnet School
Charter School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1435 Fulton St E
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 454-5541
Gr: K-6 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 99%
Rank: #1616.
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
645 Logan St Se
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 819-2600
Gr: PK-8 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Empower U
Special Education School
225 Mayfield Ave Ne
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 410-4860
Gr: 6-12 | 188 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 44%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in 49503, MI?
How many public schools are located in 49503?
17 public schools are located in 49503.
What percentage of students in 49503 go to public school?
85% of all K-12 students in 49503 are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in 49503?
49503 public schools minority enrollment is 79% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (MI):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
Hello Budget Cuts, Goodbye Sports: The Threat to Athletics
 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools
 Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes
Cell Phones in Class? Many Schools are Saying Yes

More Articles

Teaching
Scholarships
Public School Jobs
Public School Policies
Opinion