Needs Improvement
#2980 of 3,192 schools in MI
Palmer School
Elementary School · Grand Rapids Public Schools
309 PALMER ST NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,980 of 3,192
In Grand Rapids
#118 of 126
public schools
In district
#42 of 47
Grand Rapids Public Schools
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Palmer School
Elementary School in Grand Rapids · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
City Middlehigh
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Center for Economicology
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Palmer School
Palmer School is a public elementary school in Grand Rapids, MI, part of Grand Rapids Public Schools. Palmer School serves approximately 184 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Palmer School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,980 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Palmer School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.4
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 184 students, Palmer School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
59% of students at Palmer School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Palmer School — Students at Palmer School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
85.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 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: 2.7/10.
How Palmer School Compares
See how Palmer School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
309 PALMER ST NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Palmer School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aberdeen Academy (rated 8.0/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ALL SAINTS ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| City MiddleHigh Grand Rapids | 0.2 mi | 8.6 |
| Center for Economicology Grand Rapids | 0.2 mi | 6.1 |
| ISJ ACADEMY PK-8 Grand Rapids | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Riverside Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.6 mi | 5.0 |
| East Leonard Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Kent Hills Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.7 mi | 3.5 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Aberdeen Academy Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Bethany Based School Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | — |
| Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 4.5 |
| Harrison Park Academy Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 5.8 |
| NexTech High School Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Innovation Central High Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids | 2.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 6.9 |
| North Park Montessori Academy Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 6.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49505 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,692
Median Home Value
$227,900
Median Rent
$1,248/mo
Population
32,224
College Educated
39.8%
Homeownership
64.6%
Avg Commute
19.6 min
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
34.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Hoover Elementary School Hazel Park, MI | 3.7 |
| Lewiston Elementary School Lewiston, MI | 3.7 |
| Potter School Flint, MI | 3.7 |
| Sodt Elementary School Monroe, MI | 3.7 |
| Woodward Elementary Kalamazoo, MI | 3.7 |
| Coloma Intermediate School Coloma, MI | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Palmer School
What grades does Palmer School serve?
Palmer School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Palmer School?
Palmer School has an enrollment of approximately 184 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer School is 16.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Palmer School rank in MI?
Palmer School ranks #2,980 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Palmer School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 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 Palmer School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Palmer School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Palmer School a charter school?
No, Palmer School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Palmer School a Title I school?
No, Palmer School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palmer School?
85.9% of students at Palmer 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 184
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 85.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Kent County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 58.7%
- Phone
- (616) 819-2929
Resources & Links
District
Grand Rapids Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,802
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #42 of 47
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