Very Good
#856 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 27% in state
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
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
230
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#856 of 3,192
In Grand Rapids
#37 of 126
public schools
In district
#10 of 47
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Academic growth
9.0 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Gerald R Ford Academic Center?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Gerald R Ford Academic Center
Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Covenant High School Grand Rapids
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Gerald R Ford Academic Center
Gerald R Ford Academic Center is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Gerald R Ford Academic Center serves approximately 230 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Gerald R Ford Academic Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #856 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Gerald R Ford Academic Center show 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 5.4
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
42% of students at Gerald R Ford Academic Center were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gerald R Ford Academic Center — Students at Gerald R Ford Academic Center score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).
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 32 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: 9.0/10.
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
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 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 7.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, River City Scholars Charter Academy (rated 7.5/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AkronFairgrove Elem School Akron, MI | 7.2 |
| Anderson Elementary School Bronson, MI | 7.2 |
| Bentheim Elementary School Hamilton, MI | 7.2 |
| Carstens ElementaryMiddle School Detroit, MI | 7.2 |
| Central Elementary School Petoskey, MI | 7.2 |
| Ferry School Grand Haven, MI | 7.2 |
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 ranks #856 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Gerald R Ford Academic Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Gerald R Ford Academic Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Gerald R Ford Academic Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Gerald R Ford Academic Center has 11% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2022).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 41.7%
- Phone
- (616) 819-2640
Resources & Links
District
Grand Rapids Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,802
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #10 of 47
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.