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Below Average

#423 of 460 private schools in MI

South Christian High School

High School

7979 KALAMAZOO AVE SE, Byron Center, MI 49315

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

644

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

4.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Byron Center

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan high schools

#46 of 52

About South Christian High School

South Christian High School is a public high school located in the rural outskirts of Byron Center, Michigan. The school serves 644 students across grades 9 through 12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, offering personalized attention to each student’s educational needs. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, South Christian High School aims to provide a supportive learning environment that encourages academic growth and personal development.

While the school's MySchoolScout rating is currently at 5.1 out of 10 and its state ranking stands at #400 out of 460 schools in Michigan (13th percentile), these metrics do not fully capture the unique strengths and resources that South Christian High School offers to its students. The school focuses on fostering a strong sense of community and support, helping students build foundational skills for their future. South Christian High School is situated in a rural area near Byron Center, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere where they can feel supported and engaged as they navigate high school.

What Parents Should Know

As a private school, South Christian High School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, South Christian High 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$13,150
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$15,814
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.20x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
65%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$53.9M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 644 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How South Christian High School compares to the 8 public schools in Byron Center, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
This School
vs
19.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
644
This School
vs
685
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
4.6
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 93.2% vs 0%
Asian 3.3% vs 0%
Black 1.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.6% vs 0%
South Christian High School Byron Center Public Avg

All Schools in Byron Center

School Rating
South Christian High School (this school) 4.6
Cross Creek Charter Academy 7.0
Countryside Elementary School 7.3
Byron Center High School 7.1
Marshall Elementary School 6.8
Byron Center Charter School 7.9
Brown Elementary School 7.1
Robert L Nickels Intermediate School 7.4
Byron Center West Middle School 7.3

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C 3.2 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 16.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,224
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B- 5.3 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 13%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 644
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 93.2%
Asian 3.3%
Black 1.9%
Hispanic 1.6%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

7979 KALAMAZOO AVE SE, Byron Center, MI 49315

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering South Christian High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Kentwood High School (rated 7.2/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Another option is Crossroads Alternative High School (rated 6.3/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Grand River Preparatory High School (rated 6.0/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Grand Rapids), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Byron Center, see our Byron Center schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Cross Creek Charter Academy Byron Center 0.4 mi 7.0
Countryside Elementary School Byron Center 0.9 mi 7.3
Explorer Elementary Caledonia 1.9 mi 7.6
East Kentwood High School Grand Rapids 2.1 mi 7.2
Southwood Elementary Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 7.4
East Kentwood Freshman Campus Grand Rapids 2.2 mi 4.7
Pinewood Middle School Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 5.5
Glenwood Elementary Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 4.7
Discovery Elementary Grand Rapids 2.8 mi 4.6
Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids 3.1 mi 7.7
DUTTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Caledonia 2.5 mi 5.5
LEGACY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 2.5 mi 6.2
TRINITAS CLASSICAL SCHOOL Grand Rapids 3.4 mi 8.6
Townline Elementary Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 6.3
Crossroads Alternative High School Grand Rapids 3.0 mi 6.3
Valleywood Middle School Grand Rapids 3.6 mi 6.3
Grand River Preparatory High School Grand Rapids 3.6 mi 6.0
Challenger Elementary Grand Rapids 3.7 mi 6.9
Meadowlawn Elementary Grand Rapids 3.8 mi 6.9
Southeast Kelloggsville School Grand Rapids 3.7 mi 8.1

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 South Christian High 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
Cass City Jr and Sr High School Cass City, MI 4.6
Fruitport High School Fruitport, MI 4.6
Montague High School Montague, MI 4.6
North Branch High School North Branch, MI 4.6
Parchment High School Kalamazoo, MI 4.6
Saranac JrSr High School Saranac, MI 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South Christian High School

What grades does South Christian High School serve?

South Christian High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend South Christian High School?

South Christian High School has an enrollment of approximately 644 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at South Christian High School?

The student-teacher ratio at South Christian High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does South Christian High School rank in MI?

South Christian High School is ranked #423 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is South Christian High School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Christian High School has a composite rating of 4.6 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.

Is South Christian High School a private school?

Yes, South Christian High School is a private coeducational school with a Calvinist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is South Christian High School a religious school?

South Christian High School has a Calvinist religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
644
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Calvinist
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
180 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
KENT
Data Year
2022–2023

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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