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Very Good

#724 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 23% in state

Northern Trails 56 School

Middle School · Forest Hills Public Schools

3777 LEONARD ST NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Enrollment

499

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

7.4

Grades

5th – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#36 of 111

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#57 of 497

In district

#12 of 17

Forest Hills Public Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Northern Trails 56 School

Northern Trails 56 School serves 499 students in grades 5 and 6 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, offering a focused middle school experience during these crucial transitional years. With 28 full-time equivalent teachers maintaining a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio, the school provides solid individual attention for students navigating early adolescence. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 88th percentile statewide at #393 out of 3,204 Michigan schools.

Students show particularly solid achievement in English Language Arts, with 67% scoring proficient or above, while 58% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics. This academic strength reflects both effective teaching and the supportive community environment. Northern Trails 56 serves families in the 49525 zip code area, where the median household income reaches $88,200 and nearly half of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The neighborhood's low 7.9% poverty rate and median home values of $270,200 indicate a stable, middle-class community that values education. The school operates in Grand Rapids' large suburban setting, providing students with the benefits of both urban resources and suburban community feel while preparing them for their high school years.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency59.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Math vs. State Avg+28.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.4 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)63%
vs. Expected+0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,011

Northern Trails 56 School — Students at Northern Trails 56 School score 63% 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

18.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.5%
School
State
31.3%
ELA Proficiency 66.6%
School
State
42.0%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
59.5%
ELA
67%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Northern Trails 56 School Compares

See how Northern Trails 56 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
77th percentile in MI
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
18%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

Location

3777 LEONARD ST NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northern Trails 56 School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. East Grand Rapids Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 3.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Northern Hills Middle School (rated 6.9/10, 0.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest Hills Transition Center Grand Rapids 0.0 mi
Northern High School Grand Rapids 0.2 mi 7.9
Northern Hills Middle School Grand Rapids 0.3 mi 6.9
NORTH POINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 5.2
NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 4.6
Kent Education CenterBeltline Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 7.8
Lincoln School Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 8.6
Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 9.0
Knapp Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.7
Knapp Forest Elementary School Grand Rapids 1.6 mi 8.2
EASTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 4.0
Home Education Site Grand Rapids 1.6 mi
Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 6.0
Orchard View Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 8.8
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 5.8
Northview Next Career Center Grand Rapids 3.2 mi 7.4
East Grand Rapids Middle School Grand Rapids 3.1 mi 7.0
East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids 3.1 mi 6.8
Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids 2.7 mi
Wealthy School Grand Rapids 3.1 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northern Trails 56 School has a median household income of $87,969. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $292,500, with a median rent of $1,335/month. The local poverty rate of 8.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Lakeshore Middle School Stevensville, MI 7.4
Parcells Middle School Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 7.4
Robert L Nickels Intermediate School Byron Center, MI 7.4
Hazel Park Junior High School Hazel Park, MI 7.5
Mill Creek Middle School Comstock Park, MI 7.5
Smith Middle School Troy, MI 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northern Trails 56 School

What grades does Northern Trails 56 School serve?

Northern Trails 56 School serves students in grades 5th through 6th.

How many students attend Northern Trails 56 School?

Northern Trails 56 School has an enrollment of approximately 499 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northern Trails 56 School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northern Trails 56 School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northern Trails 56 School rank in MI?

Northern Trails 56 School is ranked #724 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Northern Trails 56 School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northern Trails 56 School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Northern Trails 56 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northern Trails 56 School has 58.5% math proficiency and 66.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Northern Trails 56 School a charter school?

No, Northern Trails 56 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northern Trails 56 School a Title I school?

No, Northern Trails 56 School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northern Trails 56 School?

18.4% of students at Northern Trails 56 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
13 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
18.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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