Knapp Forest Elementary School

Knapp Forest Elementary School in Grand Rapids, MI, is a top-ranked public school serving 520 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the highly regarded Forest Hills Public Schools district.

For parents, the most striking takeaway is Knapp Forest's consistent, elite-level academic performance. The school currently ranks in the 99th percentile statewide—19th out of 1,492 Michigan elementary schools—and has never ranked below the 94th percentile in the past decade. On state assessments, proficiency rates are dramatically above average: for example, 4th-grade English Language Arts proficiency is 85% compared to the state average of 41.3%, and 4th-grade math proficiency (84.1%) is more than double that of nearby North Oakview Elementary School (56.5%) and over six times higher than at Kent Hills Elementary (12.9%). What truly sets Knapp Forest apart, however, is its success with all students. The school ranks in the 98th percentile for Special Education Students (4th in the state) and the 99th percentile for Low Socio-Economic Status Students—a level of equitable achievement that few schools anywhere can match.

Beyond test scores, Knapp Forest shows exceptional student engagement, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.8%—less than a quarter of the state average (27.9%) and far below schools like William C Abney Academy Elementary (54.6%). The school also achieves these results efficiently, spending less per student ($14,736) than several schools it outperforms, including Orchard View Elementary School ($18,051) and Aberdeen Academy ($23,517). While 5th-grade math proficiency (67.5%) dipped slightly from the prior year, it remains far above the state average (32.2%). For families seeking a school with a proven track record of excellence, strong support for diverse learners, and a highly engaged community, Knapp Forest is an outstanding choice.