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Northern High School

Public Grades 9-12

11^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 800 Michigan High Schools

Better than 99% of Michigan high schools

Summary

Northern High School in Grand Rapids, MI, is a large public high school serving 1,088 students in grades 9-12, and it is part of the highly-ranked Forest Hills Public Schools district.

Northern High School is an exceptional academic performer, ranking 11th out of 800 Michigan high schools and earning a 5-star rating. Its graduation rate of 96.9% and dropout rate of just 0.7% far exceed state averages. What truly sets Northern apart is its consistent success across all student groups—the school earned 5-star ratings for every demographic subgroup, including students in special education and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. The school has shown remarkable recent improvement in supporting its low-income students, jumping from the 61st percentile just two years ago to the 98th percentile today. Hispanic students also rank 4th in the state, a dramatic rise from 18th place the previous year. Literacy rates are particularly impressive, with 87.4% of 11th graders proficient in reading and writing on the SAT—more than 30 points above the state average and rivaling nearby East Grand Rapids High School.

While math scores are strong in 9th and 10th grade, there is a noticeable dip by 11th grade, suggesting an area for continued focus. The school invests heavily in its students, spending $16,924 per pupil and maintaining a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.4—lower than both Eastern High School (17.7) and East Grand Rapids (19.3). One relative weakness is chronic absenteeism at 17.1%, which is better than the state average but nearly double the district rate. The contrast with nearby Wellspring Preparatory High School, which has a 70.7% graduation rate and 54.5% chronic absenteeism, highlights just how exceptional Northern's performance truly is in its region.

1,088

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,924

Per pupil spending ?

17.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

3801 Leonard St NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525-3372

(616) 493-8600

District: Forest Hills Public Schools

Feeder schools for Northern High School:

Elementary:	Collins Elementary School
	Meadow Brook Elementary School
Middle:	Northern Hills Middle School
	Northern Trails 56 School

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.7%

Hispanic:

8.5%

Asian:

8.3%

See top rated Michigan high schools

Compare Northern High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 98th percentile in 2016 → 99th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (73% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 1% of Michigan high schools

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the Michigan average (84%)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school73%

District avg74%

Michigan avg43%

11^th of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 1%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3High Schools in the Forest Hills Public Schools

11^th of 625Forest Hills Public Schools among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.9	11 of 800	98.6%	★★★★★
2025	96.0	21 of 739	97.2%	★★★★★
2024	93.5	39 of 743	94.8%	★★★★★
2023	92.8	37 of 735	95.0%	★★★★★
2022	98.2	9 of 531	98.3%	★★★★★
2021	84.0	69 of 561	87.7%	★★★★☆
2019	95.3	24 of 666	96.4%	★★★★★
2018	95.9	22 of 824	97.3%	★★★★★
2017	97.6	9 of 835	98.9%	★★★★★
2016	95.8	20 of 852	97.7%	★★★★★
2015	90.9	51 of 832	93.9%	★★★★★
2014	94.5	29 of 799	96.4%	★★★★★
2013	95.5	28 of 805	96.5%	★★★★★
2012	95.5	21 of 773	97.3%	★★★★★
2011	90.7	28 of 784	96.4%	★★★★★
2010	91.6	20 of 765	97.4%	★★★★★
2009	89.6	53 of 754	93.0%	★★★★★
2008	87.3	71 of 750	90.5%	★★★★★
2007	89.8	37 of 767	95.2%	★★★★★
2006	90.3	34 of 705	95.2%	★★★★★

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	79.8	36 of 252	85.7%	★★★★☆
2025	91.7	11 of 192	94.3%	★★★★★
2024	64.7	47 of 188	75.0%	★★★★☆
2023	66.0	38 of 170	77.6%	★★★★☆
2022	99.3	1 of 51	98.0%	★★★★★
2018	64.4	63 of 254	75.2%	★★★★☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	87.1	4 of 74	94.6%	★★★★★
2025	71.7	25 of 69	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.8	32 of 70	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	81.2	14 of 63	77.8%	★★★★☆
2022	70.0	12 of 31	61.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	65.3	17 of 42	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	83.0	15 of 87	82.8%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	82.8	3 of 43	93.0%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	95.6	14 of 686	98.0%	★★★★★
2025	95.4	21 of 629	96.7%	★★★★★
2024	92.5	34 of 619	94.5%	★★★★★
2023	88.1	49 of 611	92.0%	★★★★★
2022	98.1	6 of 416	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	70.8	98 of 462	78.8%	★★★★☆
2019	91.4	37 of 554	93.3%	★★★★★
2018	93.9	31 of 710	95.6%	★★★★★

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.3	4 of 259	98.5%	★★★★★
2025	94.9	8 of 203	96.1%	★★★★★
2024	88.4	18 of 195	90.8%	★★★★★
2023	64.5	54 of 190	71.6%	★★★★☆
2022	93.3	4 of 83	95.2%	★★★★★
2019	96.4	3 of 97	96.9%	★★★★★
2018	95.5	12 of 201	94.0%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	95.6	12 of 719	98.3%	★★★★★
2025	87.2	54 of 635	91.5%	★★★★★
2024	55.8	255 of 654	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	72.9	116 of 614	81.1%	★★★★☆
2022	92.2	20 of 369	94.6%	★★★★★
2021	84.5	45 of 417	89.2%	★★★★☆
2019	96.6	14 of 532	97.4%	★★★★★
2018	89.0	42 of 755	94.4%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.5	15 of 693	97.8%	★★★★★
2025	94.2	27 of 628	95.7%	★★★★★
2024	91.2	42 of 633	93.4%	★★★★★
2023	94.2	30 of 611	95.1%	★★★★★
2022	97.3	15 of 440	96.6%	★★★★★
2021	87.8	49 of 472	89.6%	★★★★☆
2019	96.1	13 of 543	97.6%	★★★★★
2018	95.6	12 of 707	98.3%	★★★★★

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	93.5	5 of 179	97.2%	★★★★★
2025	92.1	10 of 127	92.1%	★★★★★
2018	84.9	13 of 93	86.0%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	86.3	11 of 220	95.0%	★★★★★
2025	98.8	4 of 125	96.8%	★★★★★
2024	30.8	91 of 130	30.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	96.4	12 of 671	98.2%	★★★★★
2025	95.5	19 of 639	97.0%	★★★★★
2024	90.8	43 of 638	93.3%	★★★★★
2023	90.3	48 of 647	92.6%	★★★★★
2022	98.2	6 of 492	98.8%	★★★★★
2021	75.3	94 of 516	81.8%	★★★★☆
2019	95.6	20 of 582	96.6%	★★★★★
2018	95.6	17 of 708	97.6%	★★★★★

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Hispanic (2026)98th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile~ school

White (2026)98th percentile~ school

Female (2026)98th percentile~ school

Male (2026)98th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2026)97th percentile~ school

Special Education (2026)95th percentile-4 vs school

Asian (2026)95th percentile-4 vs school

English Language Learner (2024)93rd percentile~ school

African American (2026)86th percentile-13 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing87%+35 vs state

English Language Arts86%+27 vs state

Social Studies75%+32 vs state

Mathematics65%+32 vs state

Science63%+28 vs state

5.0

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Schools Near Northern High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)		PSAT Mathematics (2026)		SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northern High School	Public	9-12	3801 Leonard St NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8600	1,088	70	15.4	17.6%	769 (70.7%)	71 (6.5%)	92 (8.5%)	90 (8.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (6.0%)	96.9	11^th of 800 public high schools	98.6%		96	21^st of 739 public high schools	97.2%	10	88.8	83.8	67.1	62.5	87.4	57.3	63.2	75.3	$16,924	$709	$16,214
Forest Hills Transition Center	Public	12	640 Forest Hill Ave SE	Grand Rapids	49546	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8685	8	2	3.7	—	4 (50.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (12.5%)	2 (25.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (12.5%)								(n/a)									$89,672	$28,687	$60,985
Kent Career Technical Center	Public	9-12	1655 E Beltline Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 364-8421	0	80	.0	—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
MySchoolKent	Public	6-12	1655 E Beltline Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 365-2312	0	15	.0	—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Kent Education CenterBeltline	Public	9-12	1606 Leffingwell Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4760	43	13	3.2	74.4%	19 (44.2%)	11 (25.6%)	4 (9.3%)	1 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (18.6%)								(n/a)
Eastern High School	Public	9-12	2200 Pettis Ave NE	Ada	49301	Kent County	Forest Hills Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 493-8830	768	43	17.7	13.9%	621 (80.9%)	16 (2.1%)	29 (3.8%)	65 (8.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (4.7%)	95.5	24^th of 800 public high schools	97.0%		96.1	20^th of 739 public high schools	97.3%	4	81.5	82.2	60.7	59.5	84.2	70.3	62.2	70.7	$17,351	$990	$16,361
Lighthouse Academy The Pier	Public, Charter	9-12	703 Ball Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49503	Kent County	Lighthouse Academy	Yes	No	No	No	(616) 304-8537	7	2	3.2	—	1 (14.3%)	5 (71.4%)	1 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)									$42,111	$17,866	$24,245
Empower U	Public	6-12	225 Mayfield Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49503	Kent County	Kent Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(616) 410-4860	188	38	4.9	41.5%	106 (56.4%)	36 (19.1%)	28 (14.9%)	8 (4.3%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.8%)								(n/a)
East Grand Rapids High School	Public	9-12	2211 Lake Dr SE	Grand Rapids	49506	Kent County	East Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 235-7555	908	47	19.3	6.5%	735 (80.9%)	25 (2.8%)	64 (7.0%)	14 (1.5%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (7.4%)	98.6	4^th of 800 public high schools	99.5%		99.1	5^th of 739 public high schools	99.3%	1	89.9	92.9	74.2	73.1	88.8	67.3	73.2	79.0	$15,211	$276	$14,936
Northview Next Career Center	Public	9-12	3801 E Beltline Ave NE	Grand Rapids	49525	Kent County	Northview Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 361-7396	32	3	9.3	50.0%	18 (56.3%)	4 (12.5%)	2 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (25.0%)								(n/a)									$25,992	$711	$25,281

Frequently Asked Questions about Northern High School

What district is Northern High School in?

Forest Hills Public Schools

How many students attend Northern High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,088 students attended Northern High School.

What schools feed into Northern High School?

Northern High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Collins Elementary School
Elementary : Meadow Brook Elementary School
Middle : Northern Hills Middle School
Middle : Northern Trails 56 School

Is Northern High School a good school?

Yes! Northern High School is one of the best high schools in the state. It ranks 11^th of 800 Michigan high schools.

What is the racial makeup of Northern High School?

Students at Northern High School are 71% White, 8% Hispanic, 8% Asian, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races.

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.