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Average

#1931 of 3,192 schools in MI

Highlands School

Middle School · Northview Public Schools

4645 CHANDY DR NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Enrollment

434

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

5.9

Grades

5th – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,931 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#73 of 126

public schools

In district

#6 of 8

Northview Public Schools

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Highlands School

5.9/10

Middle School in Grand Rapids · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northview Next Learning Center

4.9/10

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

Northview Next Career Center

6.3/10

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

About Highlands School

Highlands School is a public middle school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Northview Public Schools. Highlands School serves approximately 434 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Highlands School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,931 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Highlands School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

32% of students at Highlands School 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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.42 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-5.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,178
Chronic Absenteeism31.8%

Highlands School — Students at Highlands School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
29.8% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 58.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
40.8% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 32 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
88%
ELA
91%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
50%
ELA
76%
2012
Math
50%
ELA
75%
2013
Math
51%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
40%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
56%
2017
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
34.5%
ELA
42%

* 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 Highlands School Compares

See how Highlands School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in MI
Academic
6.1/10
Average
Growth
4.7/10
Below Average
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
49%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

Location

4645 CHANDY DR NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highlands School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ALL SAINTS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Crossroads Middle School (rated 6.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Northview Next Learning Center Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 4.9
Northview Next Career Center Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 6.3
East Oakview Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 4.9
Northview High School Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 6.9
North Oakview Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 7.2
Kent ISD Deaf and Hard of Hearing Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 6.4
Belmont Elementary School Belmont 2.0 mi 8.3
Crossroads Middle School Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 6.7
Orchard View Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 7.3
ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL Belmont 2.4 mi 5.5
Roguewood Elementary School Rockford 3.3 mi 7.7
Rockford Spanish Immersion Rockford 3.3 mi 7.5
Knapp Forest Elementary School Grand Rapids 3.2 mi 8.5
West Oakview Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 7.5
Rockford High School Rockford 3.4 mi 7.4
ALL SAINTS ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 8.1
Crestwood Elementary School Rockford 3.0 mi 8.3
Kent Education CenterBeltline Grand Rapids 3.7 mi 6.4
Knapp Charter Academy Grand Rapids 3.7 mi 5.2
Chandler Woods Charter Academy Belmont 3.4 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49525 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,969

Median Home Value

$292,500

Median Rent

$1,335/mo

Population

30,627

College Educated

49.1%

Homeownership

78.4%

Avg Commute

19.6 min

Poverty Rate

8.5%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Anderson Middle School Berkley, MI 5.9
Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma, MI 5.9
Goodrich Middle School Goodrich, MI 5.9
Holland Woods Middle School Port Huron, MI 5.9
Imlay City Middle School Imlay City, MI 5.9
Lake City Middle School Lake City, MI 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Highlands School

What grades does Highlands School serve?

Highlands School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Highlands School?

Highlands School has an enrollment of approximately 434 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands School?

The student-teacher ratio at Highlands School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Highlands School rank in MI?

Highlands School ranks #1,931 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Highlands School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highlands School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Highlands School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Highlands School a charter school?

No, Highlands School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Highlands School a Title I school?

No, Highlands School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands School?

48.8% of students at Highlands School 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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
434
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.8%

District

Northview Public Schools
District Enrollment
3,139
Schools in District
8
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,178
District Rank
#6 of 8

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