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Very Good

#944 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 30% in state

Byron Center High School

High School · Byron Center Public Schools

8500 BURLINGAME AVE SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Enrollment

1,363

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

7.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Byron Center

#5 of 8

public schools

Michigan high schools

#171 of 812

In district

#4 of 6

Byron Center Public Schools

Equity

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Byron Center High School

Byron Center High School serves 1,363 students in grades 9-12 in Byron Center, Michigan, with a student-teacher ratio of 21.6:1 across 63 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public high school currently ranks #2821 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 12th percentile with room for academic growth. The school draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $102,912 and the poverty rate remains low at just 3.1%.

Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting the area's educated population base. With median home values of $331,700, the 49315 ZIP code represents a prosperous community of over 25,000 residents. Despite serving a well-resourced community, Byron Center High School faces academic challenges that suggest opportunities for improvement in student outcomes.

The school's administration and staff work with a substantial student body that benefits from the stability and resources typically found in higher-income areas. Byron Center High School sits in a rural setting near town, providing students with a blend of small-town community feel and access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities that come with serving a larger student population in Kent County.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Byron Center High School is 21.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Byron Center High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64%
Reading/ELA Proficiency74%
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+9.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
College Readiness9.4Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,289

Byron Center High School — Students at Byron Center High School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

22.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 65.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
67%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
74%

* 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: 5.5/10.

How Byron Center High School Compares

See how Byron Center High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.1/10
70th percentile in MI
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
2.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
63 teachers

Location

8500 BURLINGAME AVE SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Byron Center High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Kelloggsville Virtual School (rated 7.5/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Another option is 54th Street Academy (rated 7.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Crossroads Alternative High School (rated 6.3/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Byron Center, see our Byron Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
BYRON CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Byron Center 1.0 mi 6.5
Brown Elementary School Byron Center 1.2 mi 7.1
Byron Center Charter School Byron Center 1.8 mi 7.9
Marshall Elementary School Byron Center 2.6 mi 6.8
Robert L Nickels Intermediate School Byron Center 2.1 mi 7.4
Byron Center West Middle School Byron Center 2.3 mi 7.3
LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 6.2
Crossroads Alternative High School Grand Rapids 3.6 mi 6.3
Countryside Elementary School Byron Center 2.9 mi 7.3
Townline Elementary Grand Rapids 3.6 mi 6.3
Vanguard Charter Academy Wyoming 4.1 mi 6.6
ADAMS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wyoming 3.9 mi 5.2
Southwood Elementary Grand Rapids 3.5 mi 7.4
Pine Grove Learning Center Wyoming 4.3 mi 5.7
54th Street Academy Grand Rapids 4.3 mi 7.1
Southeast Kelloggsville School Grand Rapids 4.5 mi 8.1
Kelloggsville Virtual School Grand Rapids 4.5 mi 7.5
Kelloggsville High School Wyoming 4.9 mi 5.4
SOUTH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Byron Center 3.8 mi 4.6
Cross Creek Charter Academy Byron Center 3.9 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,358

Median Home Value

$357,600

Median Rent

$1,297/mo

Population

26,123

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

93%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Byron Center High School has a median household income of $111,358. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,600, with a median rent of $1,297/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. 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
Pontiac High School Pontiac, MI 7.1
Saline High School Saline, MI 7.1
Jenison High School Jenison, MI 7.0
Portage Central High School Portage, MI 7.0
Rochester Adams High School Rochester Hills, MI 7.0
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph, MI 7.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Byron Center High School

What grades does Byron Center High School serve?

Byron Center High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Byron Center High School?

Byron Center High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,363 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Byron Center High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Byron Center High School is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Byron Center High School rank in MI?

Byron Center High School is ranked #944 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Byron Center High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Byron Center High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Byron Center High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Byron Center High School has 65.5% math proficiency and 77.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Byron Center High School a charter school?

No, Byron Center High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Byron Center High School a Title I school?

No, Byron Center High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Byron Center High School?

22.7% of students at Byron Center High 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (394/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,363
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
63
Free/Reduced Lunch
22.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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