Very Good
#531 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 17% in state
Central Woodlands 56 School
Middle School · Forest Hills Public Schools
400 ALTA DALE AVE SE, Ada, MI 49301
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
451
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Ada
#4 of 6
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#38 of 497
In district
#10 of 17
Forest Hills Public Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Central Woodlands 56 School
Central Woodlands 56 School serves 451 students in grades 5-6 in Ada, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranking 236th out of 3,204 schools statewide, this public school places in the 93rd percentile for academic achievement across Michigan. The school demonstrates strong academic performance with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 66% reach proficiency in Mathematics.
These impressive results reflect the dedicated work of 23 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1, allowing for meaningful classroom engagement. Central Woodlands 56 serves students during the crucial transition years between elementary and high school, focusing specifically on 5th and 6th grade learners. The school's academic excellence score of 9.5 out of 10 underscores its commitment to educational quality during these formative middle school years.
Located on Alta Dale Avenue Southeast, the school sits in Ada's affluent suburban community where families value education highly. The surrounding neighborhood boasts a median household income of $168,135 and a remarkable 72% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment where academic achievement is both supported and celebrated.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Central Woodlands 56 School — Students at Central Woodlands 56 School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 66%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
12.6%
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: 8.9/10.
How Central Woodlands 56 School Compares
See how Central Woodlands 56 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 63% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 70% (2019) to 72% (2022).
Location
400 ALTA DALE AVE SE, Ada, MI 49301
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Woodlands 56 School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Central Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 0.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is Northern Trails 56 School (rated 7.4/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Eastern Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 3.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Ada, see our Ada schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Middle School Ada | 0.6 mi | 7.8 |
| ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ada | 0.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Central High School Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 8.3 |
| ST ROBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ada | 0.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Ada Elementary School Ada | 1.4 mi | 8.3 |
| Ada Vista Elementary School Ada | 1.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Thornapple Elementary School Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 8.7 |
| Meadow Brook Elementary School Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 9.2 |
| Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids | 2.4 mi | 9.0 |
| Lincoln School Grand Rapids | 2.4 mi | 8.6 |
| Eastern High School Ada | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Eastern Middle School Ada | 3.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Ridge Park Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 3.3 mi | 7.5 |
| ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids | 3.5 mi | — |
| Pine Ridge Elementary School Grand Rapids | 4.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Northern High School Grand Rapids | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| Forest Hills Transition Center Grand Rapids | 3.6 mi | — |
| Knapp Forest Elementary School Grand Rapids | 4.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Northern Trails 56 School Grand Rapids | 3.6 mi | 7.4 |
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 Woodlands 56 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 |
|---|---|
| LE White Middle School Allegan, MI | 7.7 |
| Petoskey Middle School Petoskey, MI | 7.7 |
| Washington Middle School Calumet, MI | 7.7 |
| Central Middle School Ada, MI | 7.8 |
| Kingsley Area Middle School Kingsley, MI | 7.8 |
| Whitehall Middle School Whitehall, MI | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Central Woodlands 56 School
What grades does Central Woodlands 56 School serve?
Central Woodlands 56 School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.
How many students attend Central Woodlands 56 School?
Central Woodlands 56 School has an enrollment of approximately 451 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Woodlands 56 School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Woodlands 56 School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Woodlands 56 School rank in MI?
Central Woodlands 56 School is ranked #531 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Central Woodlands 56 School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Woodlands 56 School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Woodlands 56 School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Woodlands 56 School has 66.0% math proficiency and 71.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Central Woodlands 56 School a charter school?
No, Central Woodlands 56 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Woodlands 56 School a Title I school?
No, Central Woodlands 56 School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Woodlands 56 School?
12.6% of students at Central Woodlands 56 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 451
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 23
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 12.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 493-8790
- 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
- #10 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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