Skip to main content

Below Average

#2700 of 3,190 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

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#98 of 111

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,369 of 1,602

In district

#39 of 47

Grand Rapids Public Schools

About Dickinson Academy

Dickinson Academy is a public elementary school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, offering a broad range of early education and foundational learning experiences. With an enrollment of 228 students, Dickinson Academy maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.7:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention.

There are 11 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to nurturing the academic and personal growth of every student. While Dickinson Academy currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.1 out of 10 and ranks at #2876 in Michigan (10th percentile), the school is focusing on improving its academic performance, particularly in areas like ELA/Reading and Math, where proficiency rates are currently 16% and 10%, respectively. The community around Dickinson Academy lies within a mid-size city setting, providing a rich environment for students to engage with their surroundings while receiving support from dedicated educators.

Dickinson Academy is situated in an area that offers a blend of urban amenities and educational opportunities, making it a central part of the Grand Rapids neighborhood.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Dickinson Academy is 20.7:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.4Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency8.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency15.3%
Math vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.6 pts
Overall Proficiency12%
Expected (poverty-adj.)14%
vs. Expected-2.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile25th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,739

Dickinson Academy — Students at Dickinson Academy score 12% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 14%).

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 9.8%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 16.0%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 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
17%
ELA
22%
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: 4.9/10.

How Dickinson Academy Compares

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

Overall Score
4.8/10
15th percentile in MI
Academic
4.4/10
4.4/10
Growth
4.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

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 8.4/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is River City Scholars Charter Academy (rated 6.8/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cesar E Chavez Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.5 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 6.4
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 7.5
River City Scholars Charter Academy Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 6.8
Brookside Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 3.0
Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.4
Alger Middle School Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 5.5
Burton Middle School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.9
Burton Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 4.9
Buchanan Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 5.0
Covenant High School Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 4.5
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 6.3
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 8.4
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 5.5
Vista Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 6.4
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 5.7
Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 3.7
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 6.6
Mulick Park Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 5.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dickinson Academy has a median household income of $56,578. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $179,600, with a median rent of $1,114/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
Cumberland School Lansing, MI 4.8
DoyleRyder School Flint, MI 4.8
Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo, MI 4.8
Iris Becker Elementary School Dearborn, MI 4.8
Leonard Elementary School Leonard, MI 4.8
Nottawa Community School Sturgis, MI 4.8

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 is ranked #2700 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Dickinson Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Dickinson Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Dickinson Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dickinson Academy has 9.8% math proficiency and 16.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

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

City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.