Very Good
#608 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 19% in state
Explorer Elementary
Elementary School · Kentwood Public Schools
2307 68TH ST SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
563
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Caledonia
#9 of 9
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#383 of 1,602
In district
#5 of 16
Kentwood Public Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Explorer Elementary
Explorer Elementary serves 563 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in Caledonia, Michigan, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 among its 33 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition, ranking #438 out of 3,204 Michigan elementary schools and placing in the 86th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. Academically, Explorer Elementary demonstrates solid performance with an 8.4 out of 10 academic score.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 61% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 52% of students perform at or above proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to providing quality elementary education in core subject areas. The school is situated in Kent County's 49316 ZIP code area, which is characterized by economic stability and educational attainment.
The surrounding community has a median household income of $97,530 and a low poverty rate of just 3.6%. Nearly half of local residents (46%) hold bachelor's degrees or higher, creating an environment that values education. Explorer Elementary operates within this large suburban setting where the median home value reaches $310,800, serving a community of over 25,000 residents who prioritize academic achievement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Explorer Elementary — Students at Explorer Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 7.2/10.
How Explorer Elementary Compares
See how Explorer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 62% (2019) to 60.54% (2022).
Location
2307 68TH ST SE, Caledonia, MI 49316
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Explorer Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Dutton Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Bowen Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.9 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Caledonia, see our Caledonia schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids | 0.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 4.6 |
| East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 7.2 |
| DUTTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Caledonia | 1.0 mi | 5.5 |
| Cross Creek Charter Academy Byron Center | 1.6 mi | 7.0 |
| TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 8.6 |
| Challenger Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| SOUTH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Byron Center | 1.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Dutton Elementary School Caledonia | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Crestwood Middle School Grand Rapids | 2.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids | 2.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Southwood Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.7 mi | 6.9 |
| Bowen Elementary Grand Rapids | 2.9 mi | 8.5 |
| Countryside Elementary School Byron Center | 2.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 3.2 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$101,548
Median Home Value
$338,800
Median Rent
$1,299/mo
Population
26,060
College Educated
44.9%
Homeownership
89.5%
Avg Commute
23.3 min
Poverty Rate
4.7%
Median Age
40.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Explorer Elementary has a median household income of $101,548. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,800, with a median rent of $1,299/month. The local poverty rate of 4.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Baldwin Heights School Greenville, MI | 7.6 |
| Bangor West Central School Bay City, MI | 7.6 |
| Bemis Elementary School Troy, MI | 7.6 |
| Blesch Intermediate School Menominee, MI | 7.6 |
| Brandywine Elementary School Niles, MI | 7.6 |
| Daniel Axford Elementary School Oxford, MI | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Explorer Elementary
What grades does Explorer Elementary serve?
Explorer Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Explorer Elementary?
Explorer Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 563 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Elementary is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Explorer Elementary rank in MI?
Explorer Elementary is ranked #608 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Explorer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Explorer Elementary has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Explorer Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Explorer Elementary has 51.8% math proficiency and 60.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Explorer Elementary a charter school?
No, Explorer Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Explorer Elementary a Title I school?
No, Explorer Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Explorer Elementary?
56.7% of students at Explorer Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 563
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 33
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 554-0302
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kentwood Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,422
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,114
- District Rank
- #5 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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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