- CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 476 students
- Cesar E Chavez Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 437 students
- Buchanan Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 379 students
- Kent Hills Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 370 students
- Burton Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 365 students
- Sibley School — Grades PK–5 · 308 students
- Mulick Park Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 264 students
- Brookside Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 254 students
- Coit Creative Arts Academy — Grades PK–5 · 246 students
- Congress Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 237 students
- Campus Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 210 students
- Palmer School — Grades PK–5 · 187 students
- KenOSha Park Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 118 students
- Burton Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 488 students
- Alger Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 314 students
- Riverside Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 227 students
- Westwood Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 176 students
- Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle — Grades 6–8 · 175 students
- Blandford School — Grades 6–6 · 60 students
- Center for Economicology — Grades 6–6 · 60 students
- John Ball Park Zoo School — Grades 6–6 · 58 students
- Union High School — Grades 9–12 · 881 students
- Innovation Central High — Grades 9–12 · 386 students
- Ottawa Hills High School — Grades 9–12 · 385 students
- Grand Rapids Public Museum High — Grades 9–12 · 267 students
- Newcomers Community School — Grades 9–12 · 157 students
- Southeast Career Pathways — Grades 9–12 · 106 students
- Union High Transition — Grades 9–12 · 50 students
- Grand Rapids Learning Center — Grades 9–12 · 39 students
- Ottawa High Transition — Grades 9–12 · 14 students
- City High Middle School — Grades 7–12 · 955 students
- Harrison Park Academy — Grades PK–8 · 708 students
- Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue — Grades PK–6 · 661 students
- Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy — Grades 6–12 · 494 students
- North Park Montessori Academy — Grades PK–8 · 379 students
- Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue — Grades 7–12 · 378 students
- CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle High School — Grades 6–12 · 309 students
- Martin Luther King Leadership Academy — Grades PK–8 · 299 students
- Grand Rapids Montessori Academy — Grades PK–12 · 297 students
- Shawmut Hills School — Grades PK–8 · 267 students
- Aberdeen Academy — Grades PK–8 · 241 students
- Dickinson Academy — Grades PK–8 · 224 students
- Gerald R Ford Academic Center — Grades PK–8 · 213 students
- Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh — Grades 7–12 · 184 students
- Ridgemoor Park Montessori — Grades PK–6 · 131 students
- Sherwood Global Studies Academy — Grades PK–6 · 121 students
- Bethany Based School — Grades 6–12 · 12 students
- Shared Time — Grades K–12
- Home Education Site
- East Leonard Elementary
- Stocking Elementary
| Metric | Grand Rapids Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 13,787 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 51 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,164/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids Public Schools (this district) | 2/10 | 12th | 13,787 |
| Oscoda Area Schools | 5/10 | 49th | 1,149 |
| Standish-Sterling Community School District | 8/10 | 74th | 1,505 |
| Tawas Area Schools | 6/10 | 56th | 1,136 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 487 rated districts in MI → 12th percentile → 2/10.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education EDFacts, 2021–22 school year. Full methodology →
About Grand Rapids Public Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools is the public school district assigned to zip code 49504 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 49504. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Grand Rapids Public Schools 2 out of 10 — low-rated among Michigan public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection (2021–22 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Michigan is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Grand Rapids Public Schools holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Michigan on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 49504
Children in zip code 49504 are assigned to Grand Rapids Public Schools for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 49504, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Grand Rapids Public Schools at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Michigan districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Grand Rapids
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Grand Rapids Public Schools serves zip code 49504, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 49504. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Michigan, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Grand Rapids Public Schools programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 49504.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Grand Rapids Public Schools before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 49504 data.