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
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
Enrollment
299
Student-Teacher
5.1:1
Score
8.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow St Thomas the Apostle Catholic School compares to 101 public schools serving similar grades in Grand Rapids, MI
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (616) 458-4228
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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