Very Good
#477 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 15% in state
Central Middle School
Middle School · Forest Hills Public Schools
5810 ADA DR SE, Ada, MI 49301
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher
20.4:1
Score
7.8
Grades
7th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ada
#3 of 6
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#28 of 497
In district
#9 of 17
Forest Hills Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Middle School
Central Middle School serves 510 students in grades 7 and 8 in Ada, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranking 177th out of 3,204 Michigan schools, the school places in the 94th percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 81% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and 71% meeting or exceeding standards in mathematics.
These results reflect the dedication of 25 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 20.4 to 1, allowing for meaningful classroom engagement. Central Middle School benefits from its location in a highly educated and affluent community where 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding neighborhood in the 49301 ZIP code has a median household income of $168,135 and median home values of $492,100, with an exceptionally low poverty rate of just 1.9%.
Located on Ada Drive Southeast, the school sits in Kent County's large suburban setting, serving families in a community of approximately 20,000 residents who prioritize educational excellence and provide strong support for their local schools.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 20.4:1, 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Central Middle School — Students at Central Middle School score 77% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
13.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.8/10.
How Central Middle School Compares
See how Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 71% (2019) to 72% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 81.72% (2022).
Location
5810 ADA DR SE, Ada, MI 49301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Woodlands 56 School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eastern Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 4.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ada, see our Ada schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central High School Grand Rapids | 0.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Central Woodlands 56 School Ada | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ada | 0.5 mi | 5.8 |
| ST ROBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ada | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Thornapple Elementary School Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| Ada Elementary School Ada | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Ada Vista Elementary School Ada | 1.6 mi | 4.4 |
| Meadow Brook Elementary School Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 9.2 |
| Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
| Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids | 2.8 mi | 9.0 |
| Lincoln School Grand Rapids | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Ridge Park Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids | 3.0 mi | — |
| Pine Ridge Elementary School Grand Rapids | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| Eastern High School Ada | 3.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Eastern Middle School Ada | 4.0 mi | 7.0 |
| CONDUCTIVE LEARNING CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA Grand Rapids | 3.5 mi | — |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy Grand Rapids | 4.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Northern High School Grand Rapids | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Forest Hills Transition Center Grand Rapids | 3.9 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49301 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$173,008
Median Home Value
$510,000
Median Rent
$2,074/mo
Population
20,492
College Educated
70.1%
Homeownership
94.8%
Avg Commute
21.1 min
Poverty Rate
1.6%
Median Age
43.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Middle School has a median household income of $173,008. It is a well-educated community where 70% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $510,000, with a median rent of $2,074/month. The local poverty rate of 1.6% 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 |
|---|---|
| Kingsley Area Middle School Kingsley, MI | 7.8 |
| Whitehall Middle School Whitehall, MI | 7.8 |
| Central Woodlands 56 School Ada, MI | 7.7 |
| Chippewa Middle School Okemos, MI | 7.7 |
| LE White Middle School Allegan, MI | 7.7 |
| Petoskey Middle School Petoskey, MI | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Middle School
What grades does Central Middle School serve?
Central Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.
How many students attend Central Middle School?
Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 510 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Middle School is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Middle School rank in MI?
Central Middle School is ranked #477 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Middle 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 Central Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Middle School has 71.0% math proficiency and 80.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Middle School a charter school?
No, Central Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Middle School a Title I school?
No, Central Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Middle School?
13.3% of students at Central 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 510
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 13.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 493-8750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Forest Hills Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,065
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,504
- District Rank
- #9 of 17
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 methodologyRelated reading
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