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
Enrollment
681
Student-Teacher
20:1
Score
7.4
Grades
3rd – 7th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.2%
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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 60% (2019) to 61.5% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67.51% (2022).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (616) 878-6400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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