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Excellent

#327 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 10% in state

Lighthouse Academy South Campus

School · Lighthouse Academy

3300 36TH ST SE, Kentwood, MI 49512

Charter

Enrollment

181

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#45 of 279

In district

#1 of 3

Lighthouse Academy

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Lighthouse Academy South Campus

Lighthouse Academy South Campus serves 181 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in Kentwood, Michigan, operating as a charter alternative school with a focused approach to education. With 13 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention in the learning environment. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #484 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 85th percentile among Michigan schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's effectiveness in serving its student population through alternative educational approaches. As an alternative school, Lighthouse Academy South Campus likely provides specialized programming designed to meet the diverse needs of students who may benefit from non-traditional educational settings. The smaller enrollment size creates an intimate learning community where students can receive personalized support and guidance.

The school is situated in a stable Kentwood neighborhood where families have a median household income of $65,640 and 39% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The community features a low poverty rate of 7.1% and median home values of $268,900, creating a supportive environment for students' educational journey in this small city setting.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 181 students, Lighthouse Academy South Campus 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.

Lighthouse Academy South Campus 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+6.3 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendImproving
Academics6.4Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Math vs. State Avg-4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)18%
vs. Expected+6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile48th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$21,064

Lighthouse Academy South Campus — Students at Lighthouse Academy South Campus score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.2%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 19.2%
School
State
45.2%

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
5%
ELA
5%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How Lighthouse Academy South Campus Compares

See how Lighthouse Academy South Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
90th percentile in MI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

3300 36TH ST SE, Kentwood, MI 49512

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lighthouse Academy South Campus may also want to explore other schools in the area. Excel Charter Academy (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), with a comparable rating. Another option is LAKE MICHIGAN ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), a more accessible option. Additionally, PrepNet Virtual Academy (rated 3.7/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), a more accessible option. For more schools in Kentwood, see our Kentwood schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
PrepNet Virtual Academy Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 3.7
CONDUCTIVE LEARNING CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA Grand Rapids 1.5 mi
Crestwood Middle School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 8.3
Excel Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 7.3
ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids 1.8 mi
Ridge Park Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.9 mi 7.5
ST PAUL THE APOSTLE SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 4.8
OUR SAVIOR LUTHERAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.2 mi 7.5
Ridgemoor Park Montessori Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 6.7
Challenger Elementary Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 6.9
Sherwood Global Studies Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 7.3
LAKE MICHIGAN ACADEMY Grand Rapids 2.3 mi 6.6
Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 7.7
TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.6 mi 8.6
Breton Downs School Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 5.9
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.5 mi 5.3
Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 4.6
Bowen Elementary Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 8.5
KenOSha Park Elementary Grand Rapids 2.5 mi 6.1
Meadow Brook Elementary School Grand Rapids 3.1 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49512 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,955

Median Home Value

$279,900

Median Rent

$1,229/mo

Population

18,662

College Educated

37.7%

Homeownership

43.5%

Avg Commute

20.7 min

Poverty Rate

6.6%

Median Age

33.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lighthouse Academy South Campus has a median household income of $70,955. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $279,900, with a median rent of $1,229/month. The local poverty rate of 6.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Ellsworth Community School Ellsworth, MI 8.2
EwenTrout Creek Consolidated School Ewen, MI 8.0
Keith Bovenschen School Warren, MI 8.2
Watersmeet Township School Watersmeet, MI 8.2
Alanson Public School Alanson, MI 7.9
Byron Center Charter School Byron Center, MI 7.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lighthouse Academy South Campus

What grades does Lighthouse Academy South Campus serve?

Lighthouse Academy South Campus serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Lighthouse Academy South Campus?

Lighthouse Academy South Campus has an enrollment of approximately 181 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lighthouse Academy South Campus?

The student-teacher ratio at Lighthouse Academy South Campus is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lighthouse Academy South Campus rank in MI?

Lighthouse Academy South Campus is ranked #327 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Lighthouse Academy South Campus's MySchoolScout rating?

Lighthouse Academy South Campus has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Lighthouse Academy South Campus?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lighthouse Academy South Campus has 19.2% math proficiency and 19.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lighthouse Academy South Campus a charter school?

Yes, Lighthouse Academy South Campus is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Lighthouse Academy South Campus a Title I school?

No, Lighthouse Academy South Campus is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lighthouse Academy South Campus?

90.1% of students at Lighthouse Academy South Campus 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,583/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small City
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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