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Very Good

#715 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 22% in state

Robert L Nickels Intermediate School

Middle School · Byron Center Public Schools

3100 84TH ST SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Enrollment

681

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

7.4

Grades

3rd – 7th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Byron Center

#2 of 8

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#55 of 497

In district

#1 of 6

Byron Center Public Schools

Equity

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Robert L Nickels Intermediate School

Robert L Nickels Intermediate School serves 681 students in grades 3 through 7 in Byron Center, making it a substantial middle school option in Kent County. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a 20:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for meaningful classroom interactions. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #346 out of 3,204 Michigan schools, placing it in the 89th percentile statewide.

Students show solid proficiency rates with 68% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and Reading, while 61% demonstrate proficiency in mathematics across grade levels. Robert L Nickels Intermediate draws from an affluent community where families have a median household income of $102,912 and median home values of $331,700. The surrounding area reflects educational priorities, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a notably low poverty rate of just 3.1%.

This stable economic foundation supports the school's academic success. Located in a rural setting near town, the school offers students the benefits of a quieter, more spacious environment while remaining connected to community resources and amenities that support both learning and family life.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Robert L Nickels Intermediate School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.33 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.9Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67.5%
Math vs. State Avg+30.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.9 pts
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected+4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,289

Robert L Nickels Intermediate School — Students at Robert L Nickels Intermediate School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 60.9%
School
State
31.3%
ELA Proficiency 67.5%
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
60%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
68%
2022
Math
61.5%
ELA
67.5%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Robert L Nickels Intermediate School Compares

See how Robert L Nickels Intermediate School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in MI
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

3100 84TH ST SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Robert L Nickels Intermediate School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Byron Center West Middle School (rated 7.3/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Grandville Middle School (rated 7.1/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Grandville), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Byron Center, see our Byron Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Byron Center West Middle School Byron Center 0.3 mi 7.3
Brown Elementary School Byron Center 1.2 mi 7.1
BYRON CENTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Byron Center 1.3 mi 6.5
Byron Center High School Byron Center 2.1 mi 7.1
Byron Center Charter School Byron Center 2.7 mi 7.9
Marshall Elementary School Byron Center 3.2 mi 6.8
ADAMS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wyoming 3.9 mi 5.2
TRI-UNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wyoming 4.2 mi 8.1
Grandville Grand View Elementary School Wyoming 4.4 mi 7.1
Grandville Century Park Learning Center Wyoming 4.1 mi 6.4
Pine Grove Learning Center Wyoming 4.5 mi 5.7
Vanguard Charter Academy Wyoming 4.5 mi 6.6
ST MARYS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS Byron Center 4.4 mi 6.0
Grandville Middle School Grandville 4.8 mi 7.1
Grandville High School Grandville 5.1 mi 7.8
LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 4.5 mi 6.2
Sycamore Elementary School Dorr 5.8 mi 6.0
HOLY TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Wyoming 5.7 mi 7.0
Grandville South Elementary School Grandville 6.0 mi 5.5
GRANDVILLE CALVIN CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Grandville 6.1 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49315 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$111,358

Median Home Value

$357,600

Median Rent

$1,297/mo

Population

26,123

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

93%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

2.9%

Median Age

41

Community Profile

The community surrounding Robert L Nickels Intermediate School has a median household income of $111,358. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $357,600, with a median rent of $1,297/month. The local poverty rate of 2.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
DeWitt Middle School Dewitt, MI 7.4
Jefferson Middle School Midland, MI 7.4
Lakeshore Middle School Stevensville, MI 7.4
Northern Trails 56 School Grand Rapids, MI 7.4
Parcells Middle School Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 7.4
Hazel Park Junior High School Hazel Park, MI 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Robert L Nickels Intermediate School

What grades does Robert L Nickels Intermediate School serve?

Robert L Nickels Intermediate School serves students in grades 3rd through 7th.

How many students attend Robert L Nickels Intermediate School?

Robert L Nickels Intermediate School has an enrollment of approximately 681 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert L Nickels Intermediate School?

The student-teacher ratio at Robert L Nickels Intermediate School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Robert L Nickels Intermediate School rank in MI?

Robert L Nickels Intermediate School is ranked #715 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Robert L Nickels Intermediate School's MySchoolScout rating?

Robert L Nickels Intermediate 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 Robert L Nickels Intermediate School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert L Nickels Intermediate School has 60.9% math proficiency and 67.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Robert L Nickels Intermediate School a charter school?

No, Robert L Nickels Intermediate School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Robert L Nickels Intermediate School a Title I school?

No, Robert L Nickels Intermediate School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert L Nickels Intermediate School?

23.2% of students at Robert L Nickels Intermediate 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (394/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
3rd – 7th
Enrollment
681
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Byron Center Public Schools
District Enrollment
4,512
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,633
District Rank
#1 of 6

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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