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K–12 Guide
Top Schools in Metro Grand Rapids (K–12)
Rankings help you narrow the field — but “best” is really about fit: learning style, supports (IEP/504), culture, commute, and where your child feels safe and challenged.
Sources: GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, U.S. News & World Report, MI School Data (State of Michigan)
Method: Composite score with academics weighted highest, then college readiness and parent reviews. For Special Education, parent satisfaction/reviews were weighted most heavily.
Pro move: shortlist 3–5 schools, then tour and ask about support staff ratios, IEP communication cadence, behavior support, and advanced coursework pathways.
Category
Overall Top 7 Schools (All Categories)
1) City High Middle School (Grand Rapids Public Schools)
Grades: 7–12 • Type: Public magnet (IB)
City High Middle is the academic benchmark in West Michigan—rigorous IB programming, strong outcomes, and a culture that attracts motivated students across the region.
Best for: Academically driven students who thrive with structure and challenge.
IB
College readiness
Magnet
2) East Grand Rapids High School (East Grand Rapids Public Schools)
Grades: 9–12 • Type: Public
A consistent top performer with strong AP participation, high parent satisfaction, and a stable district ecosystem that supports broad student success.
Best for: Families seeking top-tier academics with strong extracurricular depth.
AP
Strong outcomes
District stability
3) Black River Public School (Holland)
Grades: 6–12 • Type: Public charter (IB)
High performance + experiential learning. Smaller classes and “Project Term” create a setting where students can go deep academically and apply learning in the real world.
Best for: Independent learners who like project-based momentum.
IB
Charter
Project Term
4) Forest Hills Northern High School (Forest Hills Public Schools)
Grades: 9–12 • Type: Public
One of the highest-performing high schools in the region, with strong academics, broad AP options, and a community culture that supports achievement.
Best for: Students seeking strong academics in a supportive suburban setting.
AP
Suburban
High achievement
5) Forest Hills Central High School (Forest Hills Public Schools)
Grades: 9–12 • Type: Public
A top Forest Hills option with strong academics, modern facilities, and extensive extracurricular offerings—great for students who want challenge and variety.
Best for: Students wanting challenge plus activities and programs.
AP
Extracurricular depth
District resources
6) West Michigan Aviation Academy (Grand Rapids)
Grades: 9–12 • Type: Public charter (STEM / aviation)
A unique charter high school at the airport that blends strong academics with hands-on STEM and aviation pathways—career-connected learning without sacrificing college readiness.
Best for: STEM-focused students who learn best by doing.
STEM
Career pathways
Charter
7) Grand Rapids Christian High School (Grand Rapids Christian Schools)
Grades: 9–12 • Type: Private
The top-rated private high school in the metro area on combined metrics, with strong parent feedback around individualized support alongside rigorous academics.
Best for: Families seeking strong college prep with personalized support.
Private
Support services
College prep
Category
Top 5 Public Schools (Traditional District Schools)
- City High Middle School (GRPS) — IB rigor, top outcomes, strong college readiness.
- East Grand Rapids High School (EGRPS) — High performance + broad offerings and strong parent satisfaction.
- Forest Hills Northern High School (FHPS) — Strong academics, AP depth, stable community environment.
- West Ottawa High School (West Ottawa Public Schools) — Large-school resources, AP variety, strong outcomes.
- Grandville High School (Grandville Public Schools) — Balanced academics, programs, and extracurricular opportunities.
Tour question: “How do you staff IEP services (caseloads + coverage)?” “Push-in vs pull-out?” “How often do you proactively update parents?”
Honorable mentions: Byron Center High School, Rockford High School
Category
Top 5 Private Schools (Independent / Parochial)
- West Michigan Lutheran High School (Wyoming) — Very small school; highly individualized instruction.
- Grand Rapids Christian High School — Strong academics with notable support and accommodations.
- The Potter’s House High School (Wyoming) — Diverse community, strong relationships, mission-driven approach.
- Catholic Central High School (Grand Rapids) — College-prep curriculum plus deep athletics tradition.
- Holland Christian High School (Holland) — Strong community culture with consistent outcomes.
Tour question: “What accommodations do you provide?” “Do you have resource staff?” “What happens if needs change mid-year?”
Also worth a look: West Catholic High School (Grand Rapids)
Category
Top 5 Schools with Alternative or Specialized Approaches
1) Grand Rapids Public Museum School (GRPS)
Place-based learning that uses the city (and museum resources) as a classroom—hands-on projects and real-world problem solving.
Best for: Students who learn best through projects and applied experiences.
2) West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA)
STEM and aviation pathways with strong academic performance and career-connected learning at the airport campus.
Best for: STEM-leaning students who like hands-on labs and real-world application.
3) Black River Public School (Holland)
Charter + IB with “Project Term” that builds independence and deeper learning.
Best for: Students who want both rigor and flexibility.
4) North Park Montessori Academy (GRPS)
Public Montessori model emphasizing independence, hands-on learning, and inclusive community practices.
Best for: Kids who thrive with self-directed learning and multi-age settings.
5) John Ball Zoo School (GRPS)
A one-of-a-kind program where sixth graders use the zoo and outdoor spaces as an immersive classroom experience.
Best for: Curious, outdoorsy kids who light up with experiential learning.
Also notable: Blandford Environmental Education Program, Center for Economicology
Category
Top 5 Schools for Special Education Support
In this category, parent experience was weighted most heavily. Special education quality often shows up in communication,
consistency, staffing, and how supported a student feels — not just test scores.
- East Grand Rapids Public Schools (District) — Inclusive practices and individualized supports.
- Grand Rapids Christian High School — Strong reputation for meeting diverse needs within a rigorous setting.
- Forest Hills Public Schools (District) — Well-resourced services with a culture of support.
- Lake Michigan Academy (Private, Specialized) — Targeted support for learning differences in small classes.
- Ridge Park Charter Academy (K–8) — Parent feedback highlights attentive staff and supportive services.
Honorable mentions: Northview Public Schools (Deaf/Hard of Hearing program), Kentwood Public Schools, Thornapple Kellogg Schools (LEAP autism program)
What to Ask on a Special Education Tour (Copy/Paste)
- “Who is our day-to-day IEP contact, and how often will we hear from them?”
- “What does push-in vs pull-out support look like?”
- “How do you handle behavior supports and sensory needs?”
- “What are caseloads for resource teachers? SLP/OT availability?”
- “How do you plan transitions and prevent regression?”
Bottom Line
The Grand Rapids metro area has a deep bench of strong schools—especially if you’re prioritizing academics and support.
Use this guide to build a shortlist, then tour and ask direct questions. The best choice is the one where your child is both challenged and genuinely supported.
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