Best Elementary Schools in Jenison, MI

The six elementary schools serving grades K-6 in Jenison, Michigan, operate within the highly rated Jenison Public Schools district, which ranks in the 92nd percentile statewide and serves a total of 2,170 students across a mix of larger and smaller neighborhood schools.

For parents, the standout choice is Bauerwood School, which leads the pack with a 95th percentile state ranking and consistent 5-star ratings. It posts the strongest math scores in the district, including 78.9% proficiency in 3rd grade and 77.8% in 6th grade, while also excelling in science and social studies. Rosewood School is a close rival, ranking 93rd statewide with the highest overall ELA average (67.2%) and strong math performance, despite having the largest enrollment and highest student-to-teacher ratio. Pinewood School is the most improved, jumping from the 86th to 92nd percentile in one year and achieving the dataset’s highest single-subject score with 76.4% proficiency in 5th grade social studies. Meanwhile, Bursley School and Sandy Hill School lag behind their peers, with Sandy Hill ranking lowest at the 80th percentile and showing notable declines in math proficiency. JIA Elementary, with just 83 students, offers a more intimate setting but shows extreme score volatility due to its tiny class sizes.

A few key takeaways stand out. First, higher per-student spending does not guarantee better results—Bursley spends the most ($18,983 per student) yet underperforms Rosewood, which spends the least among full-size schools ($14,740). Second, smaller class sizes don’t automatically boost achievement, as Bursley and Sandy Hill have the lowest student-teacher ratios but the weakest scores. Third, a consistent 5th grade math slump across nearly all schools suggests a curriculum challenge worth investigating. Finally, while poverty rates correlate with lower performance, Bauerwood proves that effective instruction can overcome socioeconomic hurdles, achieving top-tier results despite a moderate free/reduced lunch rate. Overall, this district offers strong options, but parents should weigh school-specific strengths carefully.