Average
#1750 of 3,192 schools in MI
John Ball Park Zoo School
Middle School · Grand Rapids Public Schools
1300 FULTON ST W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
28.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 6th
Enrollment
57
Student-Teacher
28.5:1
Score
6.1
Grades
6th – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#1,750 of 3,192
In Grand Rapids
#68 of 126
public schools
In district
#17 of 47
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Equity
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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John Ball Park Zoo School
Middle School in Grand Rapids · grades 6th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Westwood Middle School
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sibley School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About John Ball Park Zoo School
John Ball Park Zoo School is a public middle school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. John Ball Park Zoo School serves approximately 57 students, and covers grades 6th-6th, and has a 28.5:1 student-teacher ratio. John Ball Park Zoo School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,750 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for John Ball Park Zoo School show 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- District avg 5.9
- MI avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 57 students, John Ball Park Zoo School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
John Ball Park Zoo School runs 28.5:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
John Ball Park Zoo School — Students at John Ball Park Zoo School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 30 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: 5.0/10.
How John Ball Park Zoo School Compares
See how John Ball Park Zoo School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1300 FULTON ST W, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering John Ball Park Zoo School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle (rated 7.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Westwood Middle School (rated 5.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Lee Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Wyoming), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Westwood Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Sibley School Grand Rapids | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Newcomers Community School Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 3.9 |
| Union High School Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Union High Transition Grand Rapids | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| Stocking Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 5.7 |
| HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 7.9 |
| WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 7.0 |
| NexTech High School Grand Rapids | 1.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Cesar E Chavez Elementary Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 3.4 |
| Kent Education CenterOakleigh Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 9.3 |
| Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 4.1 |
| SAN JUAN DIEGO ACADEMY Wyoming | 2.0 mi | 4.9 |
| THE POTTERS HOUSE Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 7.1 |
| POTTERS HOUSE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Shawmut Hills School Grand Rapids | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| Lee Middle School Wyoming | 2.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Lee High School Wyoming | 2.1 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,326
Median Home Value
$222,600
Median Rent
$1,145/mo
Population
40,402
College Educated
38.5%
Homeownership
58%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Median Age
32.9
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Center for Economicology Grand Rapids, MI | 6.1 |
| West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS Battle Creek, MI | 6.5 |
| Ashley Middle School Ashley, MI | 5.2 |
| North Central Middle School Powers, MI | 7.2 |
| Rockwell Middle School Warren, MI | 4.9 |
| Covert Middle School Covert, MI | 4.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about John Ball Park Zoo School
What grades does John Ball Park Zoo School serve?
John Ball Park Zoo School serves students in grades 6th through 6th.
How many students attend John Ball Park Zoo School?
John Ball Park Zoo School has an enrollment of approximately 57 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at John Ball Park Zoo School?
The student-teacher ratio at John Ball Park Zoo School is 28.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does John Ball Park Zoo School rank in MI?
John Ball Park Zoo School ranks #1,750 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is John Ball Park Zoo School's MySchoolScout rating?
John Ball Park Zoo School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 John Ball Park Zoo School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, John Ball Park Zoo School has 65% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is John Ball Park Zoo School a charter school?
No, John Ball Park Zoo School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is John Ball Park Zoo School a Title I school?
No, John Ball Park Zoo School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John Ball Park Zoo School?
47.4% of students at John Ball Park Zoo 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 57
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 28.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kent County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 12.3%
- Phone
- (616) 819-3344
Resources & Links
District
Grand Rapids Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,802
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #17 of 47
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