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Excellent

#208 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 7% in state

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

Elementary School · Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

409 Lafayette Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Charter

Enrollment

285

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#13 of 111

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#149 of 1,602

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center. The school serves approximately 285 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 17.8:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 93.5th percentile among MI schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 51% proficiency in math, 15 points above the state average and 65% in reading/language arts, 22 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $61,734, where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a midsize city setting.

What Parents Should Know

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.78 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics9.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency68.1%
Math vs. State Avg+12.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency61%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile85th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.2Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,668

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center — Students at Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center score 61% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

34%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 51.2%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 65.1%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
54.5%
ELA
67.9%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Compares

See how Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
94th percentile in MI
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

409 Lafayette Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congress Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Cesar E Chavez Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Martin Luther King Leadership Academy (rated 6.3/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 5.9
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 5.5
Grand Rapids Public Museum High Grand Rapids 0.5 mi 6.0
Gerald R Ford Academic Center Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 5.4
Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 7.3
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 0.5 mi 6.3
Covenant High School Grand Rapids Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 4.5
Innovation Central High Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 8.1
Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 6.7
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 7.4
Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 3.7
Southeast Career Pathways Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.5
Congress Elementary Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 9.3
Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 7.4
Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.1
Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 5.1
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 6.4
Dickinson Academy Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 4.8
Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 6.6
Buchanan Elementary Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49503 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,734

Median Home Value

$224,100

Median Rent

$1,207/mo

Population

37,874

College Educated

43.9%

Homeownership

37.5%

Avg Commute

19.2 min

Poverty Rate

22.3%

Median Age

30.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center has a median household income of $61,734. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,100, with a median rent of $1,207/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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
Barryton Elementary School Barryton, MI 8.4
Carson City Elementary School Carson City, MI 8.4
Eberwhite School Ann Arbor, MI 8.4
Glengary Elementary School Commerce Township, MI 8.4
Kettle Lake Elementary School Alto, MI 8.4
Lakewood Elementary School Holland, MI 8.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center

What grades does Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center serve?

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center?

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center has an enrollment of approximately 285 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center rank in MI?

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is ranked #208 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center has a composite rating of 8.4 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 Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center has 51.2% math proficiency and 65.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center a charter school?

Yes, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center a Title I school?

No, Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center?

34.0% of students at Grand Rapids Child Discovery 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
90 Walker's Paradise
Transit Score
57 Good Transit
Bike Score
70 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
285
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
34.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
District Enrollment
285
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,146
District Rank
#1 of 1

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 methodology

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