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
Enrollment
499
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
5th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 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 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.5/10.
How Northern Trails 56 School Compares
See how Northern Trails 56 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 59.39% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (616) 493-8990
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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