School overview
At a glance
Reported students
520
NCES CCD 2024–25, where reported
Teachers (FTE)
29.3
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.7:1
Calculated, not a class-size measure
Grades served
05–06
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Michigan middle enrollment
52th percentile
Compared with 492 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
467
Northern Trails 56 School: 520 reported students.
State peer staffing position
56th percentile
17.7:1 reported; state peer median 17.5:1. Ratio is not class size.
Profile interpretation
What the reported data says about Northern Trails 56 School
Northern Trails 56 School is a public middle school serving grades 05–06 in GRAND RAPIDS. It is one of 18 current school records connected to Forest Hills Public Schools. NCES reports 520 students for 2024–25.
Among 492 middle schools in Michigan with comparable records, this school is close in size than the reported median of 504.5 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 52th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.7:1, close to the Michigan median of 17.5:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The two largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (66.5%) and Hispanic or Latino (11.5%). English learners represent 3.4% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 9.5%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports access to gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Turn data into a school visit
Questions worth asking Northern Trails 56 School
- 1How do the reported 17.7:1 student–teacher ratio and 29.3 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3How are the school's 1 counselor FTE allocated across grades and student needs?
- 4What meal assistance, transportation, after-school, and family-support services are currently available?
Student context
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 3.4%
- Students with disabilities
- 9.5%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 17.7%
- Lunch program
- Yes participating without using any Provision or the CEO
People available to students
Support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 1
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0.05
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0.4
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0.5
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White66.5%
- Hispanic11.5%
- Black5.4%
- Asian9%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial7.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25 where reported, otherwise CRDC 2021–22. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Learning opportunities
Programs reported by the school
Advanced Placement
Not reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Not reported
Program availability is from CRDC 2021–22 and can change. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Continue exploring
Other schools in Forest Hills Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Northern Hills Middle School
Middle · Grades 07–08
515 reported students
Eastern Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
528 reported students
Central Middle School
Middle · Grades 07–08
488 reported students
Central Woodlands 56 School
Middle · Grades 05–06
462 reported students
Goodwillie Environmental School
Middle · Grades 05–06
103 reported students
Knapp Forest Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
520 reported students