Very Good
#588 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 18% 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
7.6
Grades
5th – 6th
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
5th – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#588 of 3,192
In Grand Rapids
#27 of 126
public schools
In district
#14 of 17
Forest Hills Public Schools
Equity
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Northern Trails 56 School
Middle School in Grand Rapids · grades 5th – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest Hills Transition Center
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Northern High School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Northern Trails 56 School
Northern Trails 56 School is a public middle school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Forest Hills Public Schools. Northern Trails 56 School serves approximately 499 students, and covers grades 5th-6th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Northern Trails 56 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #588 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Northern Trails 56 School show 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 7.7
- MI avg 5.9
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Northern Trails 56 School — Students at Northern Trails 56 School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 63%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
18.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 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: 6.4/10.
How Northern Trails 56 School Compares
See how Northern Trails 56 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. Northern Hills Middle School (rated 8.2/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, East Grand Rapids Middle School (rated 8.0/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. 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 | 8.7 |
| Northern Hills Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.3 mi | 8.2 |
| 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 | 6.4 |
| Lincoln School Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Knapp Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Knapp Forest Elementary School Grand Rapids | 1.6 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 8.1 |
| Orchard View Elementary School Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 7.3 |
| PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Northview Next Career Center Grand Rapids | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| East Grand Rapids Middle School Grand Rapids | 3.1 mi | 8.0 |
| East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids | 3.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids | 2.7 mi | — |
| Wealthy School Grand Rapids | 3.1 mi | 7.3 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Creekside Middle School Zeeland, MI | 7.6 |
| Bullock Creek Middle School Midland, MI | 7.5 |
| Robert L Nickels Intermediate School Byron Center, MI | 7.5 |
| Armada Middle School Armada, MI | 7.7 |
| Central Woodlands 56 School Ada, MI | 7.7 |
| Harbor Springs Middle School Harbor Springs, MI | 7.7 |
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 ranks #588 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Northern Trails 56 School's MySchoolScout rating?
Northern Trails 56 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Trails 56 School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Northern Trails 56 School has 64% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 74% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 7.0%
- Phone
- (616) 493-8990
Resources & Links
District
Forest Hills Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,065
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,504
- District Rank
- #14 of 17
Other Schools in This District
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