Public schools in Grand Rapids, MI
130 open public schools with an address in Grand Rapids, operated by 30 education agencies. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
130
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
49,414
129 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
16.4:1
Michigan median 16.3:1
Charter schools
22
3 magnet · 2 virtual
An overview of Grand Rapids public schools
The federal directory lists 130 public schools in Grand Rapids, MI: 61 elementary, 19 middle, 39 high, 11 combined or other. The 129 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 49,414 students, an average of 383 per school. The largest campus is East Kentwood High School (2,068 students), and the largest elementary school is Walker Charter Academy (711).
Grand Rapids Public Schools operates the most schools here (46), and 9 regular districts have at least one Grand Rapids campus, plus 21 charter, service, or other agencies. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 16.4:1, similar to the statewide school median of 16.3:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 22 charter schools, 3 magnet schools, 2 virtual schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 42 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 17 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 11 of 44 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 58% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Public school district
46 schools in Grand Rapids
Kentwood Public Schools
Public school district
15 schools in Grand Rapids · 17 total
Forest Hills Public Schools
Public school district
11 schools in Grand Rapids · 18 total
Kent ISD
Specialized public school district
8 schools in Grand Rapids · 9 total
Northview Public Schools
Public school district
8 schools in Grand Rapids
East Grand Rapids Public Schools
Public school district
5 schools in Grand Rapids
Kelloggsville Public Schools
Public school district
5 schools in Grand Rapids · 6 total
Kenowa Hills Public Schools
Public school district
5 schools in Grand Rapids · 6 total
Godwin Heights Public Schools
Public school district
4 schools in Grand Rapids · 5 total
Lighthouse Academy
Independent charter agency
3 schools in Grand Rapids · 9 total
Covenant High School Grand Rapids
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Excel Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Gerald Dawkins Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Grand River Preparatory High School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Grandville Public Schools
Public school district
1 school in Grand Rapids · 11 total
Grove Montessori: A Wildflower Public School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Hope Academy of West Michigan
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Knapp Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
New Branches Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
NexTech High School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
PrepNet Virtual Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Ridge Park Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
River City Scholars Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Vista Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Walker Charter Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Wellspring Preparatory High School
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
West MI Academy of Environmental Science
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
William C. Abney Academy
Independent charter agency
1 school in Grand Rapids
Elementary schools in Grand Rapids
61| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 241 | 12.4:1 | |
| Bowen Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | PK–05 | 357 | 15.3:1 | |
| Breton Downs School East Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 451 | 20.2:1 | |
| Brookside Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 254 | 16.6:1 | |
| Brookwood Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | PK–05 | 370 | 13.8:1 | |
| Buchanan Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 379 | 16.6:1 | |
| Burton Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 365 | 15.6:1 | |
| CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 476 | 19.2:1 | |
| Campus Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 210 | 15.6:1 | |
| Central Kelloggsville Elementary Kelloggsville Public Schools | 03–05 | 494 | 18.2:1 | |
| Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 437 | 16.9:1 | |
| Challenger Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 413 | 16.9:1 | |
| Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 246 | 13.8:1 | |
| Collins Elementary School Forest Hills Public Schools | PK–04 | 356 | 18.4:1 | |
| Congress Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 237 | 21:1 | |
| Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 224 | 11.9:1 | |
| Discovery Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 674 | 18.4:1 | |
| East Oakview Elementary School Northview Public Schools | KG–04 | 371 | 13.9:1 | |
| Endeavor Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 553 | 17.2:1 | |
| Gerald Dawkins Academy Gerald Dawkins Academy · Charter | KG–05 | 152 | 11.7:1 | |
| Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 213 | 16.1:1 | |
| Glenwood Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 543 | 18:1 | |
| Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center · Charter | KG–05 | 287 | 17:1 | |
| Grandville Cummings Elementary School Grandville Public Schools | PK–06 | 366 | 17.8:1 | |
| Grove Montessori A Wildflower Public School Grove Montessori: A Wildflower Public School · Charter | KG–06 | — | — | |
| Harrison Park Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 708 | 15.8:1 | |
| Kenowa Hills Central Elementary School Kenowa Hills Public Schools | KG–05 | 538 | 13.7:1 | |
| Kent Education CenterOakleigh Kent ISD · Special Education School | KG–08 | 32 | 4:1 | |
| Kent Hills Elementary Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 370 | 20.8:1 | |
| Knapp Charter Academy Knapp Charter Academy · Charter | KG–08 | 398 | 14.2:1 | |
| Knapp Forest Elementary School Forest Hills Public Schools | PK–05 | 520 | 17.8:1 | |
| Lakeside School East Grand Rapids Public Schools | KG–05 | 453 | 17.2:1 | |
| Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 299 | 18.5:1 | |
| Meadow Brook Elementary School Forest Hills Public Schools · Magnet | KG–04 | 431 | 14.8:1 | |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | PK–05 | 339 | 15.9:1 | |
| Mulick Park Elementary School Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 264 | 16.1:1 | |
| New Branches Charter Academy New Branches Charter Academy · Charter | KG–08 | 345 | 12.6:1 | |
| North Godwin Elementary School Godwin Heights Public Schools | 02–05 | 400 | 16.6:1 | |
| North Oakview Elementary School Northview Public Schools | PK–04 | 346 | 14.5:1 | |
| North Park Montessori Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 379 | 13.8:1 | |
| Orchard View Elementary School Forest Hills Public Schools | KG–05 | 439 | 15:1 | |
| Palmer School Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 187 | 17.6:1 | |
| Pine Ridge Elementary School Forest Hills Public Schools | PK–04 | 472 | 17.7:1 | |
| Ridge Park Charter Academy Ridge Park Charter Academy · Charter | KG–08 | 507 | 15.8:1 | |
| Ridgemoor Park Montessori Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–06 | 131 | 16.6:1 | |
| River City Scholars Charter Academy River City Scholars Charter Academy · Charter | KG–08 | 286 | 11.4:1 | |
| Shawmut Hills School Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 267 | 15.4:1 | |
| Sherwood Global Studies Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–06 | 121 | 11.6:1 | |
| Sibley School Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 308 | 11.6:1 | |
| Southeast Kelloggsville School Kelloggsville Public Schools | KG–02 | 287 | 15.7:1 | |
| Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–06 | 661 | 21.1:1 | |
| Southwood Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 302 | 15.3:1 | |
| Thornapple Elementary School Forest Hills Public Schools | PK–04 | 361 | 16.4:1 | |
| Townline Elementary Kentwood Public Schools | KG–05 | 320 | 15:1 | |
| Vista Charter Academy Vista Charter Academy · Charter | PK–08 | 641 | 14.6:1 | |
| Walker Charter Academy Walker Charter Academy · Charter | KG–08 | 711 | 19.1:1 | |
| Wealthy School East Grand Rapids Public Schools | KG–05 | 462 | 18.6:1 | |
| West Kelloggsville School Kelloggsville Public Schools | KG–02 | 253 | 14.1:1 | |
| West Oakview Elementary School Northview Public Schools | PK–04 | 240 | 10.9:1 | |
| William C Abney Academy Elementary William C. Abney Academy · Charter | KG–08 | 273 | 14:1 | |
| Zinser Elementary School Kenowa Hills Public Schools | KG–05 | 443 | 17.6:1 |
Middle schools in Grand Rapids
19| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alger Middle School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–08 | 314 | 16.1:1 | |
| Blandford School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–06 | 60 | 24:1 | |
| Burton Middle School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–08 | 488 | 19.1:1 | |
| Center for Economicology Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–06 | 60 | 25.5:1 | |
| Crestwood Middle School Kentwood Public Schools | 06–08 | 700 | 16.9:1 | |
| Crossroads Middle School Northview Public Schools | 07–08 | 472 | 17.6:1 | |
| East Grand Rapids Middle School East Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–08 | 710 | 19.4:1 | |
| Godwin Heights Middle School Godwin Heights Public Schools | 05–08 | 382 | 16.5:1 | |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–08 | 175 | 18.2:1 | |
| Highlands School Northview Public Schools | 05–06 | 445 | 15.7:1 | |
| John Ball Park Zoo School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–06 | 58 | 22.3:1 | |
| Kelloggsville Middle School Kelloggsville Public Schools | 06–08 | 475 | 19.9:1 | |
| Kenowa Hills Middle School Kenowa Hills Public Schools | 06–08 | 634 | 17.2:1 | |
| Northern Hills Middle School Forest Hills Public Schools · Magnet | 07–08 | 515 | 18:1 | |
| Northern Trails 56 School Forest Hills Public Schools · Magnet | 05–06 | 520 | 17.7:1 | |
| Pinewood Middle School Kentwood Public Schools | 06–08 | 842 | 18.5:1 | |
| Riverside Middle School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–08 | 227 | 11.3:1 | |
| Valleywood Middle School Kentwood Public Schools | 06–08 | 541 | 14.2:1 | |
| Westwood Middle School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–08 | 176 | 10.3:1 |
High schools in Grand Rapids
39| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54th Street Academy Kelloggsville Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 94 | 27.2:1 | |
| Bethany Based School Grand Rapids Public Schools · Alternative School | 06–12 | 12 | 7.5:1 | |
| CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle High School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–12 | 309 | 19.3:1 | |
| Central High School Forest Hills Public Schools | 09–12 | 999 | 18.2:1 | |
| City High Middle School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 07–12 | 955 | 22.1:1 | |
| Covenant High School Grand Rapids Covenant High School Grand Rapids · Charter · Alternative School | 09–12 | 218 | 19.1:1 | |
| Crossroads Alternative High School Kentwood Public Schools · Alternative School | 06–12 | 216 | 15.4:1 | |
| East Grand Rapids High School East Grand Rapids Public Schools | 09–12 | 908 | 19.3:1 | |
| East Kentwood High School Kentwood Public Schools | 10–12 | 2,068 | 19.5:1 | |
| Empower U Kent ISD · Special Education School | 06–12 | 188 | 4.9:1 | |
| Forest Hills Transition Center Forest Hills Public Schools · Special Education School | 12–12 | 8 | 3.7:1 | |
| Godwin Heights Learning Center Godwin Heights Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 97 | 32.8:1 | |
| Godwin Heights Senior High School Godwin Heights Public Schools | 09–12 | 656 | 20.5:1 | |
| Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 39 | 19.5:1 | |
| Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids Public Schools | 07–12 | 184 | 16.2:1 | |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum High Grand Rapids Public Schools | 09–12 | 267 | 16.4:1 | |
| Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | 06–12 | 494 | 16.4:1 | |
| Grand River Preparatory High School Grand River Preparatory High School · Charter | 09–12 | 635 | 18.7:1 | |
| Innovation Central High Grand Rapids Public Schools | 09–12 | 386 | 13.9:1 | |
| Kenowa Hills High School Kenowa Hills Public Schools | 09–12 | 876 | 18:1 | |
| Kenowa Hills Pathways High School Kenowa Hills Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 99 | 24.4:1 | |
| Kent Career Tech Center Kent ISD · Career and Technical School | 09–12 | 0 | 0:1 | |
| Kent Education CenterBeltline Kent ISD · Special Education School | 09–12 | 43 | 3.2:1 | |
| Lighthouse Academy The Pier Lighthouse Academy · Charter · Alternative School | 09–12 | 7 | 3.2:1 | |
| MySchoolKent Kent ISD | 06–12 | 0 | 0:1 | |
| Newcomers Community School Grand Rapids Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 157 | 52.3:1 | |
| NexTech High School NexTech High School · Charter | 09–12 | 144 | 15.3:1 | |
| Northern High School Forest Hills Public Schools | 09–12 | 1,088 | 15.5:1 | |
| Northview High School Northview Public Schools | 09–12 | 1,078 | 19.7:1 | |
| Northview Next Career Center Northview Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 32 | 9.3:1 | |
| Northview Next Learning Center Northview Public Schools · Virtual · Alternative School | 09–12 | 136 | 348.7:1 | |
| Ottawa High Transition Grand Rapids Public Schools · Special Education School | 09–12 | 14 | 14:1 | |
| Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 09–12 | 385 | 13.4:1 | |
| Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids Public Schools · Alternative School | 09–12 | 106 | 17.7:1 | |
| Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids Public Schools | 07–12 | 378 | 21.1:1 | |
| Union High School Grand Rapids Public Schools | 09–12 | 881 | 14.3:1 | |
| Union High Transition Grand Rapids Public Schools · Special Education School | 09–12 | 50 | — | |
| Wellspring Preparatory High School Wellspring Preparatory High School · Charter | 09–12 | 267 | 15.8:1 | |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy West Michigan Aviation Academy · Charter | 09–12 | 600 | 16.9:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Grand Rapids
11| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus Kentwood Public Schools | 09–09 | 742 | 18.6:1 | |
| Excel Charter Academy Excel Charter Academy · Charter | KG–12 | 791 | 19.1:1 | |
| Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–12 | 297 | 16.5:1 | |
| Hope Academy of West Michigan Hope Academy of West Michigan · Charter | PK–12 | 284 | 10.8:1 | |
| Kent ISD Deaf and Hard of Hearing Kent ISD · Special Education School | PK–12 | 61 | 3.3:1 | |
| Lighthouse Academy South Campus Lighthouse Academy · Charter · Alternative School | KG–12 | 213 | 12.5:1 | |
| Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Lighthouse Academy · Charter · Alternative School | KG–12 | 73 | 10.5:1 | |
| Lincoln Developmental Center Kent ISD · Special Education School | PK–12 | 77 | 5.2:1 | |
| Lincoln School Kent ISD · Special Education School | KG–12 | 99 | 3.7:1 | |
| PrepNet Virtual Academy PrepNet Virtual Academy · Charter · Virtual | KG–12 | 1,080 | 17.5:1 | |
| West MI Academy of Environmental Science West MI Academy of Environmental Science · Charter | PK–12 | 666 | 13:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White38.5%
- Hispanic24.4%
- Black24.3%
- Asian4.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.3%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial7.8%
Enrollment-weighted across 127 Grand Rapids schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (49,414 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Grand Rapids
How many public schools are in Grand Rapids, MI?
The current NCES directory lists 130 open public schools with a location address in Grand Rapids: 61 elementary, 19 middle, 39 high, 11 combined or other. Together they reported 49,414 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Grand Rapids?
Schools with an address in Grand Rapids belong to 30 education agencies, led by Grand Rapids Public Schools (46 schools), Kentwood Public Schools (15 schools), Forest Hills Public Schools (11 schools). A mailing city is not an attendance boundary; confirm the district for a specific address.
What is the largest public high school in Grand Rapids?
East Kentwood High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Grand Rapids, with 2,068 students in 2024–25 (grades 10–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Grand Rapids?
Yes. 22 of the 130 public schools in Grand Rapids are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Covenant High School Grand Rapids, Excel Charter Academy, Gerald Dawkins Academy. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Grand Rapids schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Grand Rapids public schools is 16.4:1, similar to the Michigan school median of 16.3:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Grand Rapids guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Michigan cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Michigan cities