- Burton Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 488 students
- Bethany Based School — Grades 6–12 · 12 students
- Grand Rapids Montessori Academy — Grades PK–12 · 297 students
- Southeast Career Pathways — Grades 9–12 · 106 students
- Blandford School — Grades 6–6 · 60 students
- John Ball Park Zoo School — Grades 6–6 · 58 students
- Shared Time — Grades K–12 · 0 students
- Newcomers Community School — Grades 9–12 · 157 students
- Coit Creative Arts Academy — Grades PK–5 · 246 students
- Home Education Site — Grades · 0 students
- East Leonard Elementary — Grades · 0 students
- CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle High School — Grades 6–12 · 309 students
- Congress Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 237 students
- Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue — Grades PK–6 · 661 students
- Brookside Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 254 students
- Buchanan Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 379 students
- Dickinson Academy — Grades PK–8 · 224 students
- Cesar E Chavez Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 437 students
- Martin Luther King Leadership Academy — Grades PK–8 · 299 students
- KenOSha Park Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 118 students
- Kent Hills Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 370 students
- Palmer School — Grades PK–5 · 187 students
- Ottawa Hills High School — Grades 9–12 · 385 students
- Riverside Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 227 students
- Shawmut Hills School — Grades PK–8 · 267 students
- Sibley School — Grades PK–5 · 308 students
- Union High School — Grades 9–12 · 881 students
- Westwood Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 176 students
- City High Middle School — Grades 7–12 · 955 students
- Burton Elementary — Grades PK–5 · 365 students
| Metric | Grand Rapids Public Schools | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | — | 3,700 | Data not available |
| Number of Schools | 2 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $13,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Supervisory Union | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
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.
Funding and Resources
Per-pupil spending at Grand Rapids Public Schools runs approximately $13,500 annually, placing it near the Michigan state average of approximately $13,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
Grand Rapids Public Schools is a very large district with 51 schools serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 13,787 students in total. Very large districts are complex systems with significant variation in school quality across attendance zones. They typically offer extensive programs — magnet schools, specialized high schools, dual-language tracks, advanced coursework — but navigating these options requires active engagement with the district.
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. 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.