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Excellent

#251 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 8% in state

Northern Hills Middle School

Middle School · Forest Hills Public Schools

3775 LEONARD ST NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Enrollment

534

Student-Teacher

19.1:1

Score

8.2

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#251 of 3,192

In Grand Rapids

#11 of 126

public schools

In district

#7 of 17

Forest Hills Public Schools

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Northern Hills Middle School

8.2/10

Middle School in Grand Rapids · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Northern Trails 56 School

7.6/10

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

Forest Hills Transition Center

Nearby

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

About Northern Hills Middle School

Northern Hills Middle School is a public middle school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Forest Hills Public Schools. Northern Hills Middle School serves approximately 534 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Hills Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #251 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Northern Hills Middle School show 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.7
  • MI avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.5 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency64.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency77% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+33.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+38.7 pts
Overall Proficiency71% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)63% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment6.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,504
Chronic Absenteeism14.8%

Northern Hills Middle School — Students at Northern Hills Middle School score 71% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

18%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 70.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
33.7% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 80.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
49.2% (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
95%
ELA
95%
2010
Math
96%
ELA
96%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
69%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
63%
ELA
86%
2014
Math
66%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
65%
ELA
73%
2016
Math
66%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
71%
2018
Math
70%
ELA
81%
2019
Math
70%
ELA
81%
2020*
Math
64%
ELA
80%
2021*
Math
64%
ELA
80%
2022
Math
64.5%
ELA
77%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Northern Hills Middle School Compares

See how Northern Hills Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
92th percentile in MI
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
6.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
14.8%

Location

3775 LEONARD ST NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Hills Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. East Grand Rapids Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Northern Trails 56 School (rated 7.6/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Northern Trails 56 School Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 7.6
Forest Hills Transition Center Grand Rapids 0.3 mi
Northern High School Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 8.7
NORTH POINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 5.2
NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 4.6
Kent Education CenterBeltline Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.4
Knapp Forest Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 8.5
Knapp Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 5.2
Lincoln School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 7.7
Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 8.1
EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 4.0
Orchard View Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 7.3
Home Education Site Grand Rapids 1.6 mi
Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.2 mi 8.1
Northview Next Career Center Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 6.3
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.5 mi 5.8
East Grand Rapids Middle School Grand Rapids 3.3 mi 8.0
East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids 3.3 mi 8.5
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids 2.7 mi 6.9
Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids 2.8 mi

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
Avondale Gifted and Talented Education Rochester Hls, MI 8.2
Byron Center West Middle School Byron Center, MI 8.2
Scripps Middle School Lake Orion, MI 8.2
Smith Middle School Troy, MI 8.2
Eastern Middle School Ada, MI 8.1
East Middle School Plymouth, MI 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Hills Middle School

What grades does Northern Hills Middle School serve?

Northern Hills Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Northern Hills Middle School?

Northern Hills Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 534 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Hills Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Hills Middle School is 19.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Hills Middle School rank in MI?

Northern Hills Middle School ranks #251 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Northern Hills Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Hills Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Northern Hills Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Hills Middle School has 70% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 80% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Northern Hills Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Northern Hills Middle School a Title I school?

No, Northern Hills Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Hills Middle School?

18.0% of students at Northern Hills Middle 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
14 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kent County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
14.8%

District

Forest Hills Public Schools
District Enrollment
9,065
Schools in District
18
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,504
District Rank
#7 of 17

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