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Excellent

#8 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 2% of private schools

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School

Elementary School

1429 WILCOX PARK DR SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 14 schools in Grand Rapids. Learn more

Enrollment

299

Student-Teacher

5.1:1

Score

8.6

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#1 of 28

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#5 of 307

About St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School

ST Thomas the Apostle Catholic School serves 299 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in Grand Rapids, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranking 26th among Michigan's 460 elementary schools, the school places in the 95th percentile statewide. The school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.1 to 1, with 59 full-time equivalent teachers providing personalized attention to each student.

This intimate learning environment allows for individualized instruction and strong student-teacher relationships throughout the elementary and middle school years. Located on Wilcox Park Drive SE, the school sits in an affluent neighborhood where families demonstrate strong educational values. The surrounding 49506 zip code area reflects a highly educated community, with 66% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a median household income of $106,971.

The neighborhood maintains low poverty rates at just 6.9%, while median home values reach $306,400, indicating a stable, established community. The school operates within Grand Rapids, a mid-size city that offers students access to urban amenities while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere. This setting provides families with both educational excellence and the cultural resources of a larger metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, St Thomas the Apostle Catholic 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School compares to 101 public schools serving similar grades in Grand Rapids, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
This School
vs
16.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
299
This School
vs
361
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
8.6
This School
vs
6.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 90.6% vs 0%
Black 4.3% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.3% vs 0%
Asian 0.3% vs 0%
St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Grand Rapids Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School (this school) 8.6
William C Abney Academy Elementary 6.3
Empower U 7.2
Congress Elementary 9.3
Campus Elementary 5.7
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy 6.3
Wealthy School 5.5
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy 7.4
Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh 6.7
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes 7.6
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center 8.4
Bethany Based School
Gerald R Ford Academic Center 5.4
East Grand Rapids Middle School 7.0
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy 5.5
Coit Creative Arts Academy 5.1
Lakeside School 6.7
River City Scholars Charter Academy 6.8
East Leonard Elementary 6.4
Home Education Site
Kent Hills Elementary 6.8

Showing 20 of 101 schools. View all schools in Grand Rapids

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)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 5.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,512
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 17%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 299
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 90.6%
Black 4.3%
Two or More 3.3%
Hispanic 1.3%
Asian 0.3%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1429 WILCOX PARK DR SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Congress Elementary (rated 9.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center (rated 8.4/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST STEPHEN SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 0.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.5 mi
School Distance Rating
William C Abney Academy Elementary Grand Rapids 0.2 mi 6.3
LIVING STONES ACADEMY Grand Rapids 0.4 mi 5.9
Empower U Grand Rapids 0.4 mi 7.2
Congress Elementary Grand Rapids 0.5 mi 9.3
Campus Elementary Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 5.7
ST STEPHEN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 7.7
Lighthouse Academy The Pier Grand Rapids 1.0 mi
Wealthy School Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 5.5
Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Grand Rapids 1.0 mi 6.3
Lighthouse Academy Waalkes Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 7.6
PLYMOUTH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.4 mi 5.8
Grand Rapids Montessori Academy Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.4
East Grand Rapids High School Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.8
Grand Rapids Learning Center Grand Rapids 1.2 mi 7.3
Bethany Based School Grand Rapids 1.5 mi
Innovation Central High Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 8.1
Grand Rapids Montessori MiddleHigh Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.7
Wellspring Preparatory High School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 9.0
River City Scholars Charter Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 6.8
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49506 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$112,287

Median Home Value

$338,600

Median Rent

$1,305/mo

Population

35,025

College Educated

67%

Homeownership

75.9%

Avg Commute

18.1 min

Poverty Rate

7.3%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School has a median household income of $112,287. It is a well-educated community where 67% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,600, with a median rent of $1,305/month. The local poverty rate of 7.3% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
Forest View School Lansing, MI 8.6
Greenfield Elementary School Beverly Hills, MI 8.6
Hollywood Elementary School Stevensville, MI 8.6
Laker Elementary Pigeon, MI 8.6
Moraine Elementary School Northville, MI 8.6
North Elementary School Iron Mountain, MI 8.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School

What grades does St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School serve?

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School?

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 299 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School rank in MI?

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School is ranked #8 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School has a composite rating of 8.6 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 St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School a private school?

Yes, St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School a religious school?

St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
88 Very Walkable
Transit Score
33 Some Transit
Bike Score
65 Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
299
Gender Split
50% M / 50% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
59
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
8 hours
Days Per Year
189 days
Setting
Midsize City
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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