Very Good
#914 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 29% in state
Empower U
High School · Kent ISD
225 Mayfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 14 schools in Grand Rapids. Learn more
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher
5:1
Score
7.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#4 of 15
public schools
Michigan high schools
#165 of 812
In district
#6 of 7
Kent ISD
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Empower U
Empower U serves 170 students in grades 6-12 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering a unique educational experience with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5:1. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides remarkably personalized attention that many larger schools simply cannot match. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #266 out of 3,204 Michigan schools and placing in the 92nd percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.
This impressive performance reflects the school's commitment to student success in an intimate learning environment where individual needs can be carefully addressed. Empower U's smaller enrollment creates opportunities for close student-teacher relationships and individualized learning approaches that can be particularly beneficial for middle and high school students navigating critical academic and developmental years. The exceptional staffing ratio suggests students receive substantial one-on-one support and mentoring throughout their educational journey.
Located on Mayfield Avenue NE, the school serves a diverse community where 44% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, though nearly a quarter of families face economic challenges. This mix creates a learning environment that reflects real-world diversity while maintaining strong educational aspirations. Empower U operates in Grand Rapids' mid-size city setting, providing students with both urban opportunities and community connections.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 170 students, Empower U is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Empower U offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Empower U Compares
See how Empower U performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
225 Mayfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Empower U may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Wellspring Preparatory High School (rated 9.0/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Innovation Central High (rated 8.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Grand Rapids Learning Center (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,734
Median Home Value
$224,100
Median Rent
$1,207/mo
Population
37,874
College Educated
43.9%
Homeownership
37.5%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Median Age
30.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Empower U has a median household income of $61,734. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,100, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| AkronFairgrove JrSr High School Fairgrove, MI | 7.2 |
| NOUVEL CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Saginaw, MI | 7.2 |
| The Greenspire High School Travse City, MI | 7.2 |
| Farmington Central High School Farmingtn Hls, MI | 7.3 |
| NexTech High School Grand Rapids, MI | 7.3 |
| Orchard View Community Education Muskegon, MI | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Empower U
What grades does Empower U serve?
Empower U serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Empower U?
Empower U has an enrollment of approximately 170 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Empower U?
The student-teacher ratio at Empower U is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Empower U rank in MI?
Empower U is ranked #914 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Empower U's MySchoolScout rating?
Empower U has a composite rating of 7.2 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.
Is Empower U a charter school?
No, Empower U is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Empower U a Title I school?
No, Empower U is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Empower U?
32.4% of students at Empower U 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 170
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 34
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.4%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 410-4860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kent ISD- District Enrollment
- 3,538
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $375,080
- District Rank
- #6 of 7
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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