Average
#2370 of 3,190 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
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
184
Student-Teacher
16.7:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#91 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,229 of 1,602
In district
#33 of 47
Grand Rapids Public Schools
School environment
8.0 / 10
Very strong
About Palmer School
Palmer School is an elementary school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With a total enrollment of 184 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.7:1, Palmer School provides personalized attention to help each child grow academically and socially. The school is staffed by 11 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to their students' success.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Palmer School currently holds a score of 4.0 out of 10, ranking it at the 25th percentile among Michigan schools. Academically, the school’s performance is in the lower range with an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 25% and Math proficiency standing at 13%. While these numbers indicate room for improvement, the community remains committed to enhancing educational outcomes through ongoing support and development programs.
Palmer School is situated in a mid-size city setting within Grand Rapids, offering students access to various cultural and recreational opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 184 students, Palmer School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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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 12 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: 4.5/10.
How Palmer School Compares
See how Palmer School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 13.52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 23.43% (2022).
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. ALL SAINTS ACADEMY (rated 7.7/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Aberdeen Academy (rated 7.7/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Park Montessori Academy (rated 7.6/10, 2.1 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 | 7.8 |
| Center for Economicology Grand Rapids | 0.2 mi | 6.9 |
| ISJ ACADEMY PK-8 Grand Rapids | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Riverside Middle School Grand Rapids | 0.6 mi | 7.4 |
| East Leonard Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| STEPPING STONES MONTESSORI SCHOOL Grand Rapids | 0.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Kent Hills Elementary Grand Rapids | 0.7 mi | 6.8 |
| ALL SAINTS ACADEMY Grand Rapids | 1.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Aberdeen Academy Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 7.7 |
| Bethany Based School Grand Rapids | 1.2 mi | — |
| Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids | 1.1 mi | 9.0 |
| Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Harrison Park Academy Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| NexTech High School Grand Rapids | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| Innovation Central High Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids | 2.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids | 1.7 mi | 7.6 |
| North Park Montessori Academy Grand Rapids | 2.1 mi | 7.6 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Palmer School has a median household income of $71,692. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $227,900, with a median rent of $1,248/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. 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 |
|---|---|
| East Leroy Elementary School East Leroy, MI | 5.3 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL Ira, MI | 5.3 |
| River Valley Elementary School Three Oaks, MI | 5.3 |
| WR Bush Elementary School Essexville, MI | 5.3 |
| Battle Creek Montessori Academy Springfield, MI | 5.2 |
| Congress School Sturgis, MI | 5.2 |
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 is ranked #2370 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Palmer School's MySchoolScout rating?
Palmer School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Palmer School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palmer School has 13.4% math proficiency and 25.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- High (3,416/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (616) 819-2929
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Grand Rapids Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 13,802
- Schools in District
- 51
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $17,732
- District Rank
- #33 of 47
Other Schools in This District
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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