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
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
181
Student-Teacher
13.9:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Lighthouse Academy South Campus — Students at Lighthouse Academy South Campus score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 18%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Lighthouse Academy South Campus Compares
See how Lighthouse Academy South Campus performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 5% (2019) to 25% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (616) 949-2287
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Lighthouse Academy- District Enrollment
- 365
- Schools in District
- 8
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $21,047
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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 methodologyRelated reading
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