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Very Good

#470 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 15% in state

Explorer Elementary

Elementary School · Kentwood Public Schools

2307 68TH ST SE, Caledonia, MI 49316

Enrollment

563

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

7.8

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#470 of 3,192

In Caledonia

#7 of 9

public schools

In district

#1 of 16

Kentwood Public Schools

Equity

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Explorer Elementary

7.8/10

Elementary School in Caledonia · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

East Kentwood Freshman Campus

4.0/10

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

Pinewood Middle School

6.0/10

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

About Explorer Elementary

Explorer Elementary is a public elementary school in Caledonia, MI, part of Kentwood Public Schools. Explorer Elementary serves approximately 563 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Explorer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #470 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Explorer Elementary show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.5
  • MI avg 6.1

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+10.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency56% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+17.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,114
Chronic Absenteeism18.5%

Explorer Elementary — Students at Explorer Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 66.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 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
93%
ELA
93%
2010
Math
93%
ELA
89%
2011
Math
48%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
70%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
51%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2018
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
55%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
48%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
60.4%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Explorer Elementary Compares

See how Explorer Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MI
Academic
9.1/10
Excellent
Growth
7.0/10
Very Good
Environment
7.8/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

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. Countryside Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Byron Center), which scores slightly higher. Another option is TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dutton Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 1.8 miles away), 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 4.0
Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 6.0
Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 7.0
East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 6.8
DUTTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Caledonia 1.0 mi 5.5
Cross Creek Charter Academy Byron Center 1.6 mi 7.9
TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 8.6
Challenger Elementary Grand Rapids 1.9 mi 7.0
Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 5.9
SOUTH CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Byron Center 1.9 mi 4.6
Dutton Elementary School Caledonia 1.8 mi 8.6
Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 4.6
Crestwood Middle School Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 7.0
Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids 2.5 mi 5.0
Southwood Elementary Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 5.6
Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids 2.3 mi 6.5
Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 7.1
Bowen Elementary Grand Rapids 2.9 mi 7.6
Countryside Elementary School Byron Center 2.7 mi 8.7
Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids 3.2 mi 6.3

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Blanche Sims Elementary School Lake Orion, MI 7.8
Cedar Trails Elementary School Cedar Springs, MI 7.8
Central Grade School Traverse City, MI 7.8
Copper Island Academy Calumet, MI 7.8
Costello Elementary School Troy, MI 7.8
Emmons Lake Elementary School Caledonia, MI 7.8

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 ranks #470 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Explorer Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Explorer Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 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 Explorer Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Explorer Elementary has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 66% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.5%

District

Kentwood Public Schools
District Enrollment
9,422
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,114
District Rank
#1 of 16

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