Collins Elementary School

Collins Elementary School in Grand Rapids, MI, serves 356 students from Pre-K through 4th grade and is part of the highly regarded Forest Hills Public Schools district, which ranks in the 98th percentile statewide.

Collins is a solid school by state standards—ranking in the 80th percentile overall—but it is the lowest-performing elementary school among its immediate district peers. For example, nearby Knapp Forest Elementary ranks 19th in the state, while Ada Elementary ranks 25th. The most significant gap is in 4th grade math, where only 50.7% of Collins students are proficient, compared to 84.1% at Knapp Forest and 72.5% at Ada. This represents a 20-point gap from the district average and suggests math instruction may be an area needing attention. The school has also seen a downward trend over the past several years, dropping from the 96th percentile in 2017-2018 to its current ranking. However, its strong historical performance indicates the school has the capacity to improve.

One of the most concerning findings is the dramatic decline in outcomes for students from low-income families. In one year, this subgroup's ranking fell from the 92nd percentile to the 46th percentile—a drop of over 600 positions—which did not happen at other Forest Hills schools. On a positive note, Collins excels in attendance, with a chronic absenteeism rate of just 6.3%, far better than the state average of 27.9% and even better than the district average of 9.6%. The school also spends slightly less per student ($14,361) than several higher-performing neighbors, suggesting the issue may be instructional effectiveness rather than funding. For parents weighing options within this elite district, Collins offers a caring environment with strong attendance, but it currently lags its neighbors in academic outcomes, particularly in math and for its most vulnerable students.