At a glance
Reported students
187
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
10.6
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
17.6:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Michigan elementary enrollment
11th percentile
Compared with 1,618 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
259
Palmer School: 187 reported students.
State peer staffing position
78th percentile
17.6:1 reported; state peer median 15.8:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 160
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Student–teacher ratio
- 10:1
What the reported data says about Palmer School
Palmer School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Grand Rapids. It is one of 46 current school records connected to Grand Rapids Public Schools. NCES reports 187 students for 2024–25.
Among 1,618 elementary schools in Michigan with comparable records, this school is smaller than the reported median of 366 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 11th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 17.6:1, above the Michigan median of 15.8:1 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 largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Black (31.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (27.3%). English learners represent 15% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 20.6%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
Questions worth asking Palmer School
- 1How do the reported 17.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 10.6 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?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 15%
- Students with disabilities
- 20.6%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 78.6%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White22.5%
- Hispanic27.3%
- Black31.6%
- Asian2.1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native1.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial15.5%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Not reported as offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Grand Rapids Public Schools
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Campus Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
210 reported students
Gerald R Ford Academic Center
Elementary · Grades PK–08
213 reported students
Dickinson Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
224 reported students
Congress Elementary
Elementary · Grades PK–05
237 reported students
Aberdeen Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–08
241 reported students
Ridgemoor Park Montessori
Elementary · Grades PK–06
131 reported students
Public schools near Palmer School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent Hills Elementary Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 370 | 0.7 mi |
| Aberdeen Academy Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 241 | 1.1 mi |
| Harrison Park Academy Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 708 | 1.3 mi |
| Coit Creative Arts Academy Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 246 | 1.4 mi |
| North Park Montessori Academy Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–08 | 379 | 2.1 mi |
| Sibley School Elementary · Grand Rapids Public Schools | PK–05 | 308 | 2.4 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Palmer School
What grades does Palmer School serve?
Palmer School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Grand Rapids Public Schools.
How many students attend Palmer School?
Palmer School reported 187 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 11th percentile among 1,618 Michigan elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 160 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Palmer School?
The calculated ratio is 17.6:1, based on 187 students and 10.6 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Michigan median for the same school level is 15.8:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Palmer School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Palmer School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Grand Rapids Public Schools attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Palmer School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
78.6% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Palmer School in?
Palmer School is part of Grand Rapids Public Schools, based in Grand Rapids, MI, which operates 46 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Palmer School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Kent Hills Elementary (0.7 mi), Aberdeen Academy (1.1 mi), Harrison Park Academy (1.3 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.