Excellent
#138 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 4% in state
Thornapple Elementary School
Elementary School · Forest Hills Public Schools
6932 BRIDGEWATER DR SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
17.6:1
Score
8.7
Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Grand Rapids
#7 of 111
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#93 of 1,602
In district
#3 of 17
Forest Hills Public Schools
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Thornapple Elementary School
Thornapple Elementary School is a regular public school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving 387 students in grades PK through 4. It earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — built on a 9.6 academic score and a 9.3 growth score. Those figures place it third among 126 public schools in Grand Rapids and 62nd out of 3,190 public schools across Michigan, landing it in the top 2% of all schools in the state.
The 9.3 growth score is a meaningful signal: students here are not merely sustaining a high baseline, they are advancing at an above-average rate year over year. A student-teacher ratio of 17.6 to 1 keeps classrooms manageable and gives teachers more direct access to individual students. Among Michigan's 1,602 elementary schools specifically, Thornapple ranks 54th — holding its position within a field of schools measured on academic outputs alone.
For families comparing options in the Grand Rapids area, the school's combination of strong academic performance and consistent growth sets it apart from most peers. No application or lottery is required for in-boundary families; enrollment follows standard public school assignment.
Score Breakdown
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Thornapple Elementary School — Students at Thornapple Elementary School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
16.8%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Thornapple Elementary School Compares
See how Thornapple Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 72% (2019) to 78.6% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 67% (2019) to 73% (2022).
Location
6932 BRIDGEWATER DR SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thornapple Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Meadow Brook Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Ada Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 1.1 miles away, in nearby Ada), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Pine Ridge Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ada Elementary School Ada | 1.1 mi | 8.3 |
| ST ROBERT CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ada | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| Ada Vista Elementary School Ada | 1.2 mi | 4.4 |
| ADA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ada | 1.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Central High School Grand Rapids | 1.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Central Middle School Ada | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Central Woodlands 56 School Ada | 1.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Pine Ridge Elementary School Grand Rapids | 2.3 mi | 7.5 |
| Meadow Brook Elementary School Grand Rapids | 2.8 mi | 9.2 |
| West Michigan Aviation Academy Grand Rapids | 4.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Collins Elementary School Grand Rapids | 3.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Ridge Park Charter Academy Grand Rapids | 3.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Goodwillie Environmental School Grand Rapids | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Lincoln Developmental Center Grand Rapids | 4.2 mi | 9.0 |
| Eastern High School Ada | 4.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Eastern Middle School Ada | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| Lincoln School Grand Rapids | 4.2 mi | 8.6 |
| ISLAMIC SCHOOL OF GRAND RAPIDS Grand Rapids | 3.9 mi | — |
| CONDUCTIVE LEARNING CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA Grand Rapids | 4.3 mi | — |
| PrepNet Virtual Academy Grand Rapids | 4.7 mi | 3.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49546 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$97,386
Median Home Value
$389,100
Median Rent
$1,275/mo
Population
33,429
College Educated
60.8%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
17.6 min
Poverty Rate
7.5%
Median Age
40.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thornapple Elementary School has a median household income of $97,386. It is a well-educated community where 61% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $389,100, with a median rent of $1,275/month. The local poverty rate of 7.5% 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 |
|---|---|
| Bingham Farms Elementary School Bingham Farms, MI | 8.7 |
| Brendel Elementary School Grand Blanc, MI | 8.7 |
| Brown Elementary School New Boston, MI | 8.7 |
| Bursley School Jenison, MI | 8.7 |
| Clarkston Elementary School Clarkston, MI | 8.7 |
| Dorr School Dorr, MI | 8.7 |
Compare Thornapple Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thornapple Elementary School
What grades does Thornapple Elementary School serve?
Thornapple Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.
How many students attend Thornapple Elementary School?
Thornapple Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thornapple Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thornapple Elementary School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thornapple Elementary School rank in MI?
Thornapple Elementary School is ranked #138 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Thornapple Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thornapple Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.7 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 Thornapple Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thornapple Elementary School has 75.3% math proficiency and 71.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thornapple Elementary School a charter school?
No, Thornapple Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thornapple Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Thornapple Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thornapple Elementary School?
16.8% of students at Thornapple Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Grand Rapids). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 4th
- Enrollment
- 387
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 16.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kent County
- Phone
- (616) 493-8920
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Forest Hills Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 9,065
- Schools in District
- 18
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,504
- District Rank
- #3 of 17
Compare This School
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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