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Alger Middle School

Q: Is Alger Middle School a good school?

Alger Middle School ranks in the bottom 0.6% of Michigan middle schools.

Q: How many students attend Alger Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 314 students attended Alger Middle School.

Q: What is the racial makeup of Alger Middle School?

Students at Alger Middle School are 63% African American, 18% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 9% White.

Q: What high school do graduates of Alger Middle School attend?

Students who attend Alger Middle School usually go on to attend City High Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

891^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 896 Michigan Middle Schools

Better than 1% of Michigan middle schools

Summary

Alger Middle School in Grand Rapids, MI, serves 314 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Grand Rapids Public Schools district, which ranks in the bottom quarter of Michigan districts.

Alger Middle School faces profound challenges that set it apart from nearly every other school in the region. Academic proficiency rates are in the low single digits—just 3.49% of 6th graders and 3.96% of 7th graders were proficient in math in the most recent school year, and only 3.88% of 8th graders were proficient in science. These numbers are dramatically lower than nearby schools like Wyoming Junior High School, where 18.9% of 7th graders were proficient in math, and the contrast with East Grand Rapids Middle School—just 2.55 miles away, where 73.4% of 6th graders were proficient in math—is stark. The school also struggles with an exceptionally high chronic absenteeism rate of 69.3%, far exceeding the district average of 41.3% and more than double the rates at Burton Middle School (42.2%) or Godwin Heights Middle School (27.3%).

Despite spending $22,377 per student—higher than most nearby schools and nearly double what East Grand Rapids Middle School spends—the investment has not translated into academic success. This funding paradox suggests that resources alone cannot solve the deep-rooted issues at Alger. The one relative bright spot is 8th-grade English Language Arts, where 20.8% of students were proficient, significantly higher than math and science scores. With 89% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, Alger serves a community facing significant economic hardship, and breaking the cycle of absenteeism and low achievement remains the school's most critical challenge.

314

Students ?

16.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$22,377

Per pupil spending ?

89.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

921 Alger St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507-3827

(616) 819-6200

District: Grand Rapids Public Schools

Students who attend Alger Middle School usually attend:

High:	City High Middle School
	Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
	Innovation Central High
	Ottawa Hills High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

63.1%

Hispanic:

17.8%

Two or more races:

9.2%

See top rated Michigan middle schools

Compare Alger Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 3rd percentile in 2015 → 1st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Michigan average (9% vs 41% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (1st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (69% vs 28% Michigan)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school9%

District avg25%

Michigan avg41%

891^st of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 5Middle Schools in the Grand Rapids Public Schools

480^th of 625Grand Rapids 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	4.5	891 of 896	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	4.7	882 of 890	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	4.6	889 of 897	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.3	866 of 883	1.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	4.7	762 of 776	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	3.0	786 of 792	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.7	820 of 838	2.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	3.3	819 of 821	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	5.1	878 of 894	1.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2015	6.8	890 of 919	3.2%	☆☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	8.2	337 of 338	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	9.8	297 of 300	1.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	8.6	310 of 310	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.9	179 of 182	1.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	7.5	196 of 196	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	19.0	332 of 366	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	3.4	787 of 789	0.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.7	768 of 771	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	3.8	766 of 770	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.4	759 of 794	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	6.6	261 of 265	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	11.0	259 of 266	2.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	5.1	831 of 834	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	5.1	826 of 832	0.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	4.7	832 of 836	0.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	5.8	813 of 825	1.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	5.4	681 of 691	1.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	3.0	668 of 672	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	9.4	780 of 815	4.3%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	3.2	811 of 813	0.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	3.5	795 of 798	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	3.7	783 of 786	0.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	4.3	771 of 776	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	3.8	654 of 658	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	8.0	768 of 797	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

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 (2025)2nd percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)<1st percentile~ school

African American (2025)<1st percentile~ school

Female (2025)<1st percentile~ school

Male (2026)<1st percentile~ school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts21%-44 vs state

Social Studies12%-38 vs state

Science4%-35 vs state

Math4%-29 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Taught here once as a substitute, Students at this "school" don't have any respect for anyone or anything. Would never step into this place again. Close Quote

Schools Near Alger Middle 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)	M-Step English Language Arts (2026)			M-Step Math (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 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Alger Middle School	Public	6-8	921 Alger St SE	Grand Rapids	49507	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-6200	314	20	16.0	89.2%	28 (8.9%)	198 (63.1%)	56 (17.8%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (9.2%)	4.5	891^st of 896 public middle schools	0.6%		4.7	882^nd of 890 public middle schools	0.9%	9	20.8	280.2		1558.2	1655.1		3.5	4.0		3.9		11.8	$22,377	$4,062	$18,315
Burton Middle School	Public	6-8	2133 Buchanan Ave SW	Grand Rapids	49507	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-2269	488	26	19.1	77.9%	13 (2.7%)	107 (21.9%)	358 (73.4%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.4%)	4.7	889^th of 896 public middle schools	0.8%		5.2	875^th of 890 public middle schools	1.7%	14	21.4	328.2		6.0	6.0		2.2	2.4		5.2		14.2	$18,131	$2,896	$15,235
Godwin Heights Middle School	Public	5-8	100 Wexford St SE	Grand Rapids	49548	Kent County	Godwin Heights Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 252-2070	382	23	16.5	94.8%	47 (12.3%)	73 (19.1%)	229 (59.9%)	8 (2.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (6.3%)	25	651^st of 896 public middle schools	27.3%		32.4	584^th of 890 public middle schools	34.4%	67	59.0	14.7		12.9	23.0		10.8	16.4		22.1		41.9	$24,105	$1,895	$22,210
East Grand Rapids Middle School	Public	6-8	2425 Lake Dr SE	Grand Rapids	49506	Kent County	East Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 235-7551	710	37	19.3	7.7%	580 (81.7%)	10 (1.4%)	42 (5.9%)	12 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (9.3%)	97.3	16^th of 896 public middle schools	98.2%		96.4	24^th of 890 public middle schools	97.3%	8	88.8	71.0		76.3	68.3		73.4	67.2		65.4		80.4	$13,065	$292	$12,773
Lee Middle School	Public	6-8	1335 Lee St SW	Wyoming	49509	Kent County	Godfrey-Lee Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 452-3296	346	22	15.5	93.6%	24 (6.9%)	33 (9.5%)	267 (77.2%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (5.8%)	11.4	812^th of 896 public middle schools	9.4%		18.2	716^th of 890 public middle schools	19.6%	96	43.7	9.2		13.0	9.6		5.6	9.7		14.4		21.2	$18,654	$2,457	$16,197
Wyoming Intermediate	Public	5-6	1331 33rd St SW	Wyoming	49509	Kent County	Wyoming Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 530-7540	579	35	16.7	86.5%	134 (23.1%)	112 (19.3%)	278 (48.0%)	9 (1.6%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (7.4%)								(n/a)			21.4	14.9		12.1	15.5		22.3		13.6		$14,874	$1,000	$13,874
Kelloggsville Middle School	Public	6-8	4650 Division Ave S	Grand Rapids	49548	Kent County	Kelloggsville Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 532-1575	475	24	19.8	82.3%	75 (15.8%)	153 (32.2%)	209 (44.0%)	18 (3.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.8%)	14.6	765^th of 896 public middle schools	14.6%		13.2	774^th of 890 public middle schools	13.0%	9	42.4	9.0		21.1	13.5		9.5	8.3		17.2		27.8	$14,862	$2,357	$12,505
Crestwood Middle School	Public	6-8	2674 44th St SE	Grand Rapids	49512	Kent County	Kentwood Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 455-1200	700	42	16.8	73.1%	163 (23.3%)	242 (34.6%)	102 (14.6%)	140 (20.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (7.1%)	60	300^th of 896 public middle schools	66.5%		63.8	268^th of 890 public middle schools	69.9%	32	62.0	37.1		41.5	43.0		37.1	37.4		34.1		47.5	$18,139	$1,800	$16,340
Valleywood Middle School	Public	6-8	1110 50th St SE	Grand Rapids	49508	Kent County	Kentwood Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(616) 538-7670	541	38	14.1	81.1%	92 (17.0%)	193 (35.7%)	140 (25.9%)	62 (11.5%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (9.4%)	28.2	627^th of 896 public middle schools	30.0%		20.4	691^st of 890 public middle schools	22.4%	64	53.8	20.4		21.3	21.4		21.9	20.3		18.8		40.3	$21,151	$2,886	$18,265
Grand Rapids Public Museum Middle	Public	6-8	272 Pearl St NW	Grand Rapids	49504	Kent County	Grand Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(616) 819-3600	175	10	18.2	64.6%	57 (32.6%)	41 (23.4%)	49 (28.0%)	2 (1.1%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (14.3%)	27.4	634^th of 896 public middle schools	29.2%		17.3	724^th of 890 public middle schools	18.7%	90	58.0	18.0		14.0	28.6		12.0	16.3		26.9		38.5	$17,990	$2,448	$15,542

Frequently Asked Questions about Alger Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Alger Middle School?

Students at Alger Middle School are 63% African American, 18% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 9% White.

Is Alger Middle School a good school?

Alger Middle School ranks in the bottom 0.6% of Michigan middle schools.

How many students attend Alger Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 314 students attended Alger Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Alger Middle School attend?

Students who attend Alger Middle School usually go on to attend City High Middle School

What district is Alger Middle School in?

Grand Rapids Public Schools

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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.