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Average

#2185 of 3,192 schools in MI

Alger Middle School

Middle School · Grand Rapids Public Schools

921 Alger St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Enrollment

358

Student-Teacher

17.9:1

Score

5.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,185 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#82 of 126

public schools

In district

#24 of 47

Grand Rapids Public Schools

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Alger Middle School

5.5/10

Middle School in Grand Rapids · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brookside Elementary

3.2/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Vista Charter Academy

6.2/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Alger Middle School

Alger Middle School is a public middle school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Alger Middle School serves approximately 358 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Alger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,185 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Alger Middle School show 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.5 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Alger Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

80% of students at Alger Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data10
Annual Change-0.32 pts/yr
Data Period2013–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.0Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency13% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Overall Proficiency8% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)16% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,732
Chronic Absenteeism80.2%

Alger Middle School — Students at Alger Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 16%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

95%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 3.9% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 13.2% (multi-year average, 2013-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2013
Math
7%
ELA
29%
2014
Math
3%
ELA
9%
2015
Math
3%
ELA
7%
2016
Math
3%
ELA
10%
2017
Math
6%
ELA
11%
2018
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2019
Math
7%
ELA
16%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
2.5%
ELA
12.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.3/10.

How Alger Middle School Compares

See how Alger Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in MI
Academic
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
80.2%

Location

921 Alger St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alger Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Godwin Heights Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Burton Middle School (rated 3.7/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Brookside Elementary Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 3.2
Vista Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.2
River City Scholars Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.5
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 4.4
Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.6
Ottawa High Transition Grand Rapids 0.9 mi
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN ELEM SCH-EVERGREEN CAMPUS Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 5.6
Mulick Park Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 6.8
KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 3.3
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.0
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.4
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.3
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 6.7
New Branches Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 4.4
Burton Middle School Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 3.7
Burton Elementary Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 4.7
Godwin Heights Middle School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 5.0
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 6.7
Godwin Heights Learning Center Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 5.0
Godwin Heights Senior High School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49507 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,578

Median Home Value

$179,600

Median Rent

$1,114/mo

Population

39,389

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

27.3%

Median Age

29.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Brandon Middle School Ortonville, MI 5.5
Evart Middle School Evart, MI 5.5
Farwell Middle School Farwell, MI 5.5
GalesburgAugusta Middle School Augusta, MI 5.5
Hart Middle School Hart, MI 5.5
Hillside Middle School Kalamazoo, MI 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alger Middle School

What grades does Alger Middle School serve?

Alger Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Alger Middle School?

Alger Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 358 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alger Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Alger Middle School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Alger Middle School rank in MI?

Alger Middle School ranks #2,185 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Alger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alger Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alger Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Alger Middle School has 4% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 13% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).

Is Alger Middle School a charter school?

No, Alger Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Alger Middle School a Title I school?

No, Alger Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alger Middle School?

95.0% of students at Alger Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
85 Very Walkable
Transit Score
38 Some Transit
Bike Score
55 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
358
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
95.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
80.2%

District

Grand Rapids Public Schools
District Enrollment
13,802
Schools in District
51
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,732
District Rank
#24 of 47

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A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

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