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Very Good

#484 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 15% in state

Alward Elementary School

Elementary School · Hudsonville Public School District

3811 PORT SHELDON ST, Hudsonville, MI 49426

Enrollment

449

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hudsonville

#3 of 12

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#314 of 1,602

In district

#2 of 11

Hudsonville Public School District

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Alward Elementary School

Alward Elementary School serves 449 students in prekindergarten through fourth grade in Hudsonville, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking #270 out of 3,204 Michigan schools, Alward places in the 92nd percentile statewide for academic achievement. The school maintains a comfortable 16:1 student-teacher ratio with 28 full-time equivalent teachers supporting student learning.

Academic performance is particularly strong, with 73% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 63% demonstrate proficiency in Mathematics. These results contribute to the school's impressive 9.4 out of 10 academic score. Alward Elementary operates in Ottawa County's thriving suburban community, where families benefit from a stable economic environment.

The surrounding 49426 ZIP code area is home to 40,410 residents, with a median household income of $103,705 and median home values around $309,700. The community shows strong educational commitment, with 41% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a notably low poverty rate of just 3.4%. The school sits comfortably within Hudsonville's large suburban setting, serving families in an established community that values educational excellence and provides a supportive environment for young learners.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.3Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.81 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency63.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73%
Math vs. State Avg+21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+31.1 pts
Overall Proficiency68%
Expected (poverty-adj.)62%
vs. Expected+6.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.9Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,713

Alward Elementary School — Students at Alward Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 62%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 62.6%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 73.2%
School
State
43.4%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
65%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
59%
ELA
73%
2022
Math
63%
ELA
72.9%

* 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: 7.3/10.

How Alward Elementary School Compares

See how Alward Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MI
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.3/10
Above average
Environment
6.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
20%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

3811 PORT SHELDON ST, Hudsonville, MI 49426

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Alward Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Jenison Public Schools Early Childhood Center (rated 9.1/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pinewood School (rated 9.0/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Jenison), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bursley School (rated 8.7/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Jenison), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Hudsonville, see our Hudsonville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
HUDSONVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudsonville 1.0 mi 3.6
Park Elemementary School Hudsonville 1.2 mi 7.5
Georgetown Elementary School Hudsonville 1.5 mi 6.7
Baldwin Street Middle School Hudsonville 1.7 mi 6.6
Jenison Public Schools Early Childhood Center Hudsonville 1.7 mi 9.1
El Puente Spanish Immersion Hudsonville 1.7 mi 7.6
UNITY CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Hudsonville 1.5 mi 4.4
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Hudsonville 1.5 mi 3.6
Hudsonville High School Hudsonville 1.9 mi 7.2
South Elementary School Hudsonville 2.0 mi 8.3
Rosewood School Jenison 2.0 mi 8.6
Bauer Elementary School Hudsonville 2.4 mi 7.7
Pinewood School Jenison 2.4 mi 9.0
JENISON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jenison 2.6 mi 5.7
Sandy Hill School Jenison 2.7 mi 8.3
Jenison High School Jenison 3.1 mi 7.0
Jenison Junior High School Jenison 3.2 mi 7.0
Jamestown Lower Elementary School Hudsonville 4.1 mi 7.0
Riley Street Middle School Hudsonville 4.2 mi 5.8
Bursley School Jenison 3.3 mi 8.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49426 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$106,981

Median Home Value

$338,100

Median Rent

$1,199/mo

Population

39,986

College Educated

44%

Homeownership

88.6%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

3.9%

Median Age

35

Community Profile

The community surrounding Alward Elementary School has a median household income of $106,981. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,100, with a median rent of $1,199/month. The local poverty rate of 3.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School Ann Arbor, MI 7.8
Beaverton Elementary School Beaverton, MI 7.8
Chatfield School Lapeer, MI 7.8
Cooley Elementary School Waterford, MI 7.8
Deckerville Elementary School Deckerville, MI 7.8
Delton Kellogg Elem School Delton, MI 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Alward Elementary School

What grades does Alward Elementary School serve?

Alward Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Alward Elementary School?

Alward Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Alward Elementary School?

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

How does Alward Elementary School rank in MI?

Alward Elementary School is ranked #484 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Alward Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Alward Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Alward Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Alward Elementary School has 62.6% math proficiency and 73.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Alward Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Alward Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Alward Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Alward Elementary School?

20.0% of students at Alward Elementary 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (752/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Ottawa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hudsonville Public School District
District Enrollment
6,737
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,248
District Rank
#2 of 11

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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