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Below Average

#2763 of 3,192 schools in MI

Dickinson Academy

Elementary School · Grand Rapids Public Schools

448 DICKINSON ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Enrollment

228

Student-Teacher

20.7:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,763 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#104 of 126

public schools

In district

#36 of 47

Grand Rapids Public Schools

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Dickinson Academy

4.4/10

Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Hope Academy of West Michigan

7.4/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Southeast Career Pathways

6.7/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Dickinson Academy

Dickinson Academy is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Dickinson Academy serves approximately 228 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 20.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Dickinson Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,763 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Dickinson Academy show 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.4
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Dickinson Academy runs 20.7:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

62% of students at Dickinson Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.21 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Overall Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)15% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$17,732
Chronic Absenteeism61.8%

Dickinson Academy — Students at Dickinson Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 15%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 22.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 40 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
77%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
52%
2011
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2012
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
7.5%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2015
Math
12%
ELA
17%
2016
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2017
Math
17%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
9.1%
ELA
15.7%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Dickinson Academy Compares

See how Dickinson Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
14th percentile in MI
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
61.8%

Location

448 DICKINSON ST SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dickinson Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 7.8/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River City Scholars Charter Academy (rated 7.5/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Gerald R Ford Academic Center (rated 7.2/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 7.4
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 6.7
River City Scholars Charter Academy Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 7.5
Brookside Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 3.2
Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.2
Alger Middle School Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 5.5
Burton Middle School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 3.7
Burton Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.7
Buchanan Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.2
Covenant High School Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 4.1
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 4.6
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.8
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 5.2
Vista Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 6.2
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 6.7
Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 4.1
CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.9 mi 5.9
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN ELEM SCH-EVERGREEN CAMPUS Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 5.6
Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 3.4
Mulick Park Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49507 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,578

Median Home Value

$179,600

Median Rent

$1,114/mo

Population

39,389

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

60.6%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

27.3%

Median Age

29.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Crossroads Charter Academy K5 Big Rapids, MI 4.4
Cumberland School Lansing, MI 4.4
Harmon Elementary School Saint Clair Shores, MI 4.4
Jane Addams Elementary School Redford, MI 4.4
Jefferson School Ionia, MI 4.4
Michener Elementary School Adrian, MI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dickinson Academy

What grades does Dickinson Academy serve?

Dickinson Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Dickinson Academy?

Dickinson Academy has an enrollment of approximately 228 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dickinson Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Dickinson Academy is 20.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dickinson Academy rank in MI?

Dickinson Academy ranks #2,763 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Dickinson Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Dickinson Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Dickinson Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Dickinson Academy has 17% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 22% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Dickinson Academy a charter school?

No, Dickinson Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Dickinson Academy a Title I school?

No, Dickinson Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dickinson Academy?

96.5% of students at Dickinson Academy 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
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
39 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
228
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
61.8%

District

Grand Rapids Public Schools
District Enrollment
13,802
Schools in District
51
Per-Pupil Spending
$17,732
District Rank
#36 of 47

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