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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 Score

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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics4.8Below Average29%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on 14 schools in Grand Rapids
College Readiness7.1Very Good43%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional29%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$351,453

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/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.

Overall Score
7.2/10
71th percentile in MI
Academic
4.8/10
4.8/10
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
32%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
LIVING STONES ACADEMY Grand Rapids 0.1 mi 5.9
William C Abney Academy Elementary Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 6.3
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.4 mi 8.6
Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids 0.6 mi
Congress Elementary Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 9.3
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 7.6
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 5.8
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 5.7
ST STEPHEN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 7.7
Bethany Based School Grand Rapids 1.2 mi
Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 9.0
Wealthy School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 5.5
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.3
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.4
Innovation Central High Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 8.1
Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.7
Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 7.3
Kent Hills Elementary Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 6.8
East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 6.8
STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 7.3

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
74 Very Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
56 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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