Kent County Schools & Education
Kent County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
39/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
86.2%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.2%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,345
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
39/100
Higher = better
State avg 35/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#29
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Kent County
School Verdict
Kent County faces educational challenges with a school score of 39/100 and a graduation rate of 86.2%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,345 per pupil, Kent County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Kent County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 10% above the Michigan average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Kent County, Michigan
A Robust Education Hub in West Michigan
Kent County supports a massive educational network with 234 public schools serving 98,131 students across 43 different districts. The infrastructure includes 113 elementary, 40 middle, and 61 high schools, providing a diverse range of learning environments.
Strong Graduation Rates Meet Regional Benchmarks
The county achieves an 86.2% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the Michigan state average of 82.5%. While per-pupil spending of $7,345 is just below the state average, the county's school score of 52.3 exceeds both state and national medians.
Diverse Districts and Charter Options
Grand Rapids Public Schools leads the county with 51 schools and 13,657 students, followed by large suburban districts like Forest Hills and Kentwood. Charter schools play a notable role here, with 26 institutions representing 11.1% of all public schools.
From Urban Centers to Suburban Sprawl
Most students attend schools in suburban (104) or city (86) settings, with an average school size of 429 students. Large-scale campuses define the experience for many, such as East Kentwood High School, which serves over 2,000 students.
Invest in a Community Focused on Learning
With high-performing districts like Rockford and Forest Hills, Kent County offers excellent options for families prioritizing education. Explore homes in these areas to find a property that aligns with your children's academic future.
School Overview
Total Schools
234
in Kent County
Total Enrollment
98,131
students
School Districts
43
districts
Charter Schools
26
11% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
43 School Districts in Kent County
Grand Rapids Public Schools
Kentwood Public Schools
Forest Hills Public Schools
Rockford Public Schools
Grandville Public Schools
Caledonia Community Schools
Byron Center Public Schools
Wyoming Public Schools
Lowell Area Schools
Cedar Springs Public Schools
234 Public Schools in Kent County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Kentwood High School | Kentwood Public Schools | 10–12 | High | 2,010 |
| Rockford High School | Rockford Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,819 |
| Grandville High School | Grandville Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,767 |
| Caledonia High School | Caledonia Community Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,464 |
| Byron Center High School | Byron Center Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,339 |
| Wyoming High School | Wyoming Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,284 |
| PrepNet Virtual Academy | PrepNet Virtual Academy | KG–12 | Charter | 1,220 |
| Northern High School | Forest Hills Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,134 |
| Lowell Senior High School | Lowell Area Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,099 |
| Northview High School | Northview Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,092 |
| Central High School | Forest Hills Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,053 |
| Cedar Springs High School | Cedar Springs Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,049 |
| Kenowa Hills High School | Kenowa Hills Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 933 |
| Union High School | Grand Rapids Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 922 |
| East Grand Rapids High School | East Grand Rapids Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 914 |
| City MiddleHigh | Grand Rapids Public Schools | 7–12 | High | 908 |
| North Rockford Middle School | Rockford Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 885 |
| Sparta Senior High School | Sparta Area Schools | 9–12 | High | 851 |
| Grandville Middle School | Grandville Public Schools | 3–8 | Middle | 830 |
| Pinewood Middle School | Kentwood Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 809 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,345
State avg $7,394
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Kent County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Kent County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Kent County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Kent County?
How much does Kent County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Kent County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Kent County, Michigan?
Kent County supports a massive educational network with 234 public schools serving 98,131 students across 43 different districts. The infrastructure includes 113 elementary, 40 middle, and 61 high schools, providing a diverse range of learning environments.
How do schools in Kent County perform academically?
The county achieves an 86.2% graduation rate, significantly outperforming the Michigan state average of 82.5%. While per-pupil spending of $7,345 is just below the state average, the county's school score of 52.3 exceeds both state and national medians.
What are the major school districts in Kent County, Michigan?
Grand Rapids Public Schools leads the county with 51 schools and 13,657 students, followed by large suburban districts like Forest Hills and Kentwood. Charter schools play a notable role here, with 26 institutions representing 11.1% of all public schools.
What is the school experience like in Kent County?
Most students attend schools in suburban (104) or city (86) settings, with an average school size of 429 students. Large-scale campuses define the experience for many, such as East Kentwood High School, which serves over 2,000 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Kent County, Michigan?
With high-performing districts like Rockford and Forest Hills, Kent County offers excellent options for families prioritizing education. Explore homes in these areas to find a property that aligns with your children's academic future.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.