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Average

#2228 of 3,190 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

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#12 of 15

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#317 of 497

In district

#30 of 47

Grand Rapids Public Schools

School environment

7.3 / 10

Strong

About Alger Middle School

Alger Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 358 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 with 20 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Alger Middle School shows room for improvement; it holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.0 out of 10, ranking in the 8th percentile among Michigan schools with an overall academic score of 1.3/10.

In terms of subject proficiency, only 13% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while just 3% meet those standards in math. Despite these challenges, Alger Middle School continues to focus on student development and is committed to providing a supportive learning environment for its diverse community of young adolescents. Located within the city limits of Grand Rapids, the school benefits from being situated in a mid-size urban setting that offers students access to various resources and cultural opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Alger Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.5Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency13%
Math vs. State Avg-26.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-25.1 pts
Overall Proficiency8%
Expected (poverty-adj.)15%
vs. Expected-7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
Resources & Environment7.3Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,739

Alger Middle School — Students at Alger Middle School score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

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 3.3%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 12.9%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
7%
ELA
16%
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: 6.5/10.

How Alger Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.5/10
30th percentile in MI
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
95%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers

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 6.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Burton Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 3.0
Vista Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.4
River City Scholars Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 6.8
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 4.8
Ottawa Hills High School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.8
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 5.0
KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.1
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.0
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 6.4
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.3
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 7.5
New Branches Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.6
Burton Middle School Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 4.9
Burton Elementary Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 4.9
Godwin Heights Middle School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 6.1
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 5.7
Godwin Heights Learning Center Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 6.2
Godwin Heights Senior High School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 5.4

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alger Middle School has a median household income of $56,578. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,600, with a median rent of $1,114/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Heritage Junior High School Sterling Heights, MI 5.5
Kosciuszko School Hamtramck, MI 5.5
OvidElsie Middle School Elsie, MI 5.5
Thompson Middle School Saginaw, MI 5.5
Washington Woods Middle School Holt, MI 5.5
Ypsilanti Community Middle School Ypsilanti, 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 is ranked #2228 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Alger Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alger Middle School has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Alger Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alger Middle School has 3.3% math proficiency and 12.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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