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Average

#156 of 460 private schools in MI

Top 34% of private schools

West Side Christian School

Elementary School

955 WESTEND AVE NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

346

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

6.9

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Grand Rapids

#11 of 28

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#90 of 307

About West Side Christian School

West Side Christian School serves 346 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This elementary school maintains an impressive 9.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio with 38 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention than typically found in larger schools. The school has earned strong recognition for its educational quality, receiving an 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #107 out of 460 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 77th percentile among Michigan schools.

This performance reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its K-8 program structure. Located on Westend Avenue in Grand Rapids' 49504 area, the school serves a diverse community where 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The neighborhood has a median household income of $64,317 and median home values of $203,200, representing a stable middle-class community.

While 17.7% of area residents face economic challenges, this creates opportunities for the school to serve families from varied backgrounds. West Side Christian School operates within Grand Rapids, a vibrant mid-size city that offers students access to cultural resources and educational opportunities while maintaining a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, West Side Christian 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, West Side Christian 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$11,342
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$13,097
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.15x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
61%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$1.6M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 346 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How West Side Christian School compares to 101 public schools serving similar grades in Grand Rapids, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
This School
vs
16.7:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
346
This School
vs
361
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.9
This School
vs
6.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 91.9% vs 0%
Hispanic 4% vs 0%
Black 2.3% vs 0%
Asian 1.7% vs 0%
West Side Christian School Grand Rapids Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
West Side Christian School (this school) 6.9
Kent Education CenterOakleigh 9.6
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle High School 4.1
Shawmut Hills School 4.8
Westwood Middle School 7.6
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary 6.9
Blandford School 7.8
Stocking Elementary 2.8
John Ball Park Zoo School 7.0
Sibley School 5.4
Harrison Park Academy 4.1
Zinser Elementary School 7.6
Walker Charter Academy 6.4
Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle 7.4
Coit Creative Arts Academy 5.1
West MI Academy of Environmental Science 7.1
Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue 6.1
Grandville Cummings Elementary School 7.8
Southwest MiddleHigh Academia Bilingue 3.7
East Leonard Elementary 6.4
Palmer School 5.3

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- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.1 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.8 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,190
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 15%
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 346
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 91.9%
Hispanic 4.0%
Black 2.3%
Asian 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

955 WESTEND AVE NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Side Christian School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kent Education CenterOakleigh (rated 9.6/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Zinser Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary (rated 6.9/10, 1.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Grand Rapids, see our Grand Rapids schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Kent Education CenterOakleigh Grand Rapids 0.1 mi 9.6
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle High School Grand Rapids 0.6 mi 4.1
Shawmut Hills School Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 4.8
Newcomers Community School Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 5.5
Union High School Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 3.6
Union High Transition Grand Rapids 0.7 mi 8.7
HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL Grand Rapids 0.8 mi 4.6
Westwood Middle School Grand Rapids 0.9 mi 7.6
WEST CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 5.9
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA Grand Rapids 1.1 mi 6.8
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary Grand Rapids 1.3 mi 6.9
John Ball Park Zoo School Grand Rapids 1.7 mi 7.0
Blandford School Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 7.8
Stocking Elementary Grand Rapids 1.5 mi 2.8
Sibley School Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 5.4
Walker Charter Academy Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 6.4
Harrison Park Academy Grand Rapids 1.8 mi 4.1
NexTech High School Grand Rapids 2.0 mi 7.3
Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 7.4
Zinser Elementary School Grand Rapids 2.4 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$68,326

Median Home Value

$222,600

Median Rent

$1,145/mo

Population

40,402

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

58%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Age

32.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Side Christian School has a median household income of $68,326. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,600, with a median rent of $1,145/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Arrowwood Elementary School Saginaw, MI 6.9
Atherton Elementary School Burton, MI 6.9
Brick Elementary School Ypsilanti, MI 6.9
Browning Elementary School Sterling Heights, MI 6.9
Bushnell Elementary School Lowell, MI 6.9
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Side Christian School

What grades does West Side Christian School serve?

West Side Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend West Side Christian School?

West Side Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 346 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Side Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Side Christian School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does West Side Christian School rank in MI?

West Side Christian School is ranked #156 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is West Side Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Side Christian School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 West Side Christian School a private school?

Yes, West Side Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is West Side Christian School a religious school?

West Side Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,416/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
346
Gender Split
49% M / 51% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
38
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
6.8 hours
Days Per Year
175 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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