Very Good
#790 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 25% in state
Countryside Elementary School
Elementary School · Byron Center Public Schools
8200 EASTERN AVE SE, Byron Center, MI 49315
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
617
Student-Teacher
21.3:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Byron Center
#3 of 8
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#482 of 1,602
In district
#2 of 6
Byron Center Public Schools
Academic performance
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Countryside Elementary School
Countryside Elementary School serves 617 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Byron Center, 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 #266 out of 3,204 Michigan schools, Countryside places in the 92nd percentile statewide. The school demonstrates strong academic achievement, with 82% of students scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and an impressive 84% reaching proficiency in mathematics.
These results reflect the dedication of 29 full-time equivalent teachers who maintain a student-teacher ratio of 21.3 to 1, providing personalized attention within reasonably sized classrooms. Countryside Elementary benefits from its location in an affluent suburban community where families prioritize education. The surrounding 49315 zip code area features a median household income of $102,912 and median home values of $331,700, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The low poverty rate of just 3.1% contributes to a stable learning environment where students can focus on academic growth. Located at 8200 Eastern Avenue SE, the school sits in the heart of Byron Center's thriving suburban landscape, serving families in Kent County who value educational excellence and community engagement.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Countryside Elementary School is 21.3:1, 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
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Countryside Elementary School — Students at Countryside Elementary School score 82% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 61%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
20.9%
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: 7.4/10.
How Countryside Elementary School Compares
See how Countryside Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 82% (2019) to 84.27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 87% (2019) to 79.73% (2022).
Location
8200 EASTERN AVE SE, Byron Center, MI 49315
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Countryside Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Southeast Kelloggsville School (rated 8.1/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Brookwood Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Explorer Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Caledonia), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Byron Center, see our Byron Center schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Byron Center | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Cross Creek Charter Academy Byron Center | 1.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Southwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 7.4 |
| LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 2.2 mi | 6.2 |
| East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Townline Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Crossroads Alternative High School Grand Rapids | 2.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 3.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Explorer Elementary Caledonia | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids | 2.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids | 3.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 3.5 mi | 7.7 |
| Grand River Preparatory High School Grand Rapids | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Southeast Kelloggsville School Grand Rapids | 3.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Kelloggsville Virtual School Grand Rapids | 3.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids | 3.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| Byron Center High School Byron Center | 2.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| 54th Street Academy Grand Rapids | 3.9 mi | 7.1 |
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 Countryside Elementary 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedar Trails Elementary School Cedar Springs, MI | 7.3 |
| Central Elementary School Muskegon, MI | 7.3 |
| Charyl Stockwell Academy Howell, MI | 7.3 |
| Emma Murphy Elementary School Metamora, MI | 7.3 |
| Ferndale Lower Elementary Campus Ferndale, MI | 7.3 |
| Forest Elementary School Farmington Hills, MI | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Countryside Elementary School
What grades does Countryside Elementary School serve?
Countryside Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Countryside Elementary School?
Countryside Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 617 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Countryside Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Countryside Elementary School is 21.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Countryside Elementary School rank in MI?
Countryside Elementary School is ranked #790 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Countryside Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Countryside Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Countryside Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Countryside Elementary School has 84.3% math proficiency and 82.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Countryside Elementary School a charter school?
No, Countryside Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Countryside Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Countryside Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Countryside Elementary School?
20.9% of students at Countryside 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 617
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 20.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 878-6900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Byron Center Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 4,512
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,633
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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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