Summary
Alward Elementary School in Hudsonville, MI, is a highly rated PK-4 school serving 435 students within the top-tier Hudsonville Public School District, a district ranked in the 97th percentile statewide.
Alward consistently earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the top 10% of Michigan elementary schools. Its greatest strength is its remarkable success with students from low socio-economic backgrounds—in 2023-2024, Alward ranked 17th out of 1,381 schools statewide (99th percentile) for effectiveness with these students, far exceeding its already-impressive overall rank of 103rd. This means the achievement gap at Alward is exceptionally small, a powerful indicator of inclusive teaching. The school also boasts an incredibly low chronic absenteeism rate of just 5.4%, roughly one-fifth the state average, pointing to a strong, welcoming culture that keeps kids engaged. While its overall state ranking dipped slightly recently (from 112th to 141st), test scores remained high and stable, suggesting other schools improved faster rather than Alward declining. For example, 3rd-grade reading proficiency held steady at about 63-65%, nearly double the state average.
Compared to nearby schools, Alward stands out in a few ways. Its math scores, while above state averages, trail those of district peers like Bauer Elementary and Park Elemementary School—for instance, 4th-grade math proficiency is about 65% at Alward versus 82-90% at those schools—suggesting a potential area for growth. However, Alward achieves its results efficiently, spending less per student ($14,691) than Bauer ($17,596) or Park ($21,788). It also outperforms most schools in the neighboring Jenison Public Schools district in reading and math, though Jenison's Rosewood School and El Puente Spanish Immersion are strong competitors. For parents, Alward offers a proven, equitable, and well-managed learning environment where every child has a strong chance to thrive.
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