Allendale Public Schools

Allendale Public Schools is a highly-rated Michigan district serving about 2,551 students across six schools—three elementary campuses, one middle school, and two high school options—in a predominantly suburban area near Grand Rapids. The district ranks in the 91st percentile statewide, earning a 5-star rating, and consistently outperforms Michigan averages in nearly every subject and grade level.

For families, the standout choice is Allendale High School, which boasts a 98.2% graduation rate (vs. 84% statewide) and strong SAT scores, with 68.4% proficiency in reading/writing and 42.8% in math. Its ranking jumped from 255th to 117th in Michigan in just one year. Allendale Middle School is equally impressive, especially in 8th-grade PSAT English (80.3% proficiency) and Social Studies (71.2% vs. 50.3% state). Among elementary schools, Oakwood Intermediate shows the most improvement, with 5th-grade science scores (61.8%) far exceeding state norms, while Evergreen Elementary posts strong 3rd-grade results (57.5% ELA, 58.5% math). Allendale Early Childhood Center serves the youngest learners with the district’s lowest student-teacher ratio (12.5:1).

The clear outlier is Allendale Virtual Academy, which struggles with a 58.3% graduation rate, 65.5% chronic absenteeism, and a 54.2:1 student-teacher ratio—dramatically different from the district’s traditional schools. It also serves a higher-need population (51% free/reduced lunch). Across the district, watch for a math dip in 7th grade (37.3% proficiency) and declining elementary ELA scores at Oakwood, though Social Studies remains a district-wide strength. Chronic absenteeism (20.1% districtwide) is below state levels but still affects even high-performing middle schoolers. Overall, traditional schools in Allendale offer exceptional academics, but the virtual option presents unique challenges that families should weigh carefully.