Goodwillie Environmental School

Goodwillie Environmental School serves 104 students in grades 5-6 as a specialized middle school in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With just 4 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 26:1 student-teacher ratio while focusing on environmental education for its fifth and sixth graders. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide at #625 out of 3,204 Michigan schools.

Students show particularly strong skills in English Language Arts, with 73% achieving proficiency or above, while 60% reach proficiency in mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to academic excellence within its environmental focus. Goodwillie draws from an affluent community where the median household income reaches $92,095 and home values average $355,000.

The surrounding area boasts an educated population, with 61% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains a low poverty rate of just 7.8%. This supportive community context likely contributes to student success. The school occupies a unique position in a rural setting near town, providing an ideal environment for hands-on environmental learning while remaining accessible to families in the greater Grand Rapids area.

With an enrollment of 104 students, Goodwillie Environmental School 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Goodwillie Environmental School is 26:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Goodwillie Environmental School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.