Average
#2308 of 3,190 schools in MI
Gerald R Ford Academic Center
Elementary School · Grand Rapids Public Schools
851 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#13 of 15
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,203 of 1,602
In district
#32 of 47
Grand Rapids Public Schools
School environment
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Gerald R Ford Academic Center
Gerald R Ford Academic Center is a regular public elementary school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 230 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Gerald R Ford Academic Center shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2521 among Michigan’s 3204 schools, placing it in the 21st percentile.
In terms of test scores, only 24% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while just 11% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Gerald R Ford Academic Center focuses on student development and works tirelessly to support its diverse population. The school is situated in a mid-size city environment, offering a range of educational resources and community partnerships that help enrich the learning experience for all students.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Gerald R Ford Academic Center — Students at Gerald R Ford Academic Center score 18% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 4.7/10.
How Gerald R Ford Academic Center Compares
See how Gerald R Ford Academic Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 11.06% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 25.84% (2022).
Location
851 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gerald R Ford Academic Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congress Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 8.4/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, River City Scholars Charter Academy (rated 6.8/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.3 miNeighborhood 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 Gerald R Ford Academic Center 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 |
|---|---|
| Alice I Ferguson Early Childhood Center New Boston, MI | 5.4 |
| Birchview School Ishpeming, MI | 5.4 |
| Gardner Elementary School Detroit, MI | 5.4 |
| Hoover School Lincoln Park, MI | 5.4 |
| Lakewood Elementary School Ann Arbor, MI | 5.4 |
| Lincoln International Studies School Kalamazoo, MI | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gerald R Ford Academic Center
What grades does Gerald R Ford Academic Center serve?
Gerald R Ford Academic Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Gerald R Ford Academic Center?
Gerald R Ford Academic Center has an enrollment of approximately 230 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gerald R Ford Academic Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Gerald R Ford Academic Center is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gerald R Ford Academic Center rank in MI?
Gerald R Ford Academic Center is ranked #2308 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Gerald R Ford Academic Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Gerald R Ford Academic Center has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Gerald R Ford Academic Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gerald R Ford Academic Center has 11.2% math proficiency and 23.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gerald R Ford Academic Center a charter school?
No, Gerald R Ford Academic Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gerald R Ford Academic Center a Title I school?
No, Gerald R Ford Academic Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gerald R Ford Academic Center?
89.6% of students at Gerald R Ford Academic Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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
- 230
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 13
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 819-2640
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Grand Rapids Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,802
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #32 of 47
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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