Summary:
Zip code 49401 in Allendale, Michigan, is served by three elementary schools within the highly-rated Allendale Public Schools district, which collectively educate about 1,199 students across pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
For parents, the standout academic performer is Oakwood Intermediate, which serves grades K-5 and posts exceptional results. Its 5th graders achieve 62.4% proficiency in English Language Arts and 61.8% in science, while social studies proficiency (53.2%) is nearly double the state average. Evergreen Elementary (PK-3) shows remarkable consistency, with 3rd grade proficiency rates around 57-58% in both ELA and math across consecutive years. The Allendale Early Childhood Center (PK-K) lacks test data but offers the lowest student-teacher ratio at 12.5:1, signaling strong individualized attention during foundational years. All three schools dramatically outperform Michigan state averages in every tested subject, with even the weakest score (Oakwood's 4th grade math at 49.2%) exceeding the state by nearly 10 points.
Notably, all three schools share nearly identical free/reduced lunch rates (around 29%), suggesting uniform socioeconomic conditions across attendance zones. Chronic absenteeism runs 16-18% at each school—well below the district's 20.1% and state's 27.9%. However, parents should note a concerning math trend: proficiency drops from 58.5% in 3rd grade at Evergreen to roughly 49% in both 4th and 5th grades at Oakwood, possibly reflecting increased complexity or transition challenges. Oakwood also shows year-over-year volatility, with 5th grade ELA falling from 70.2% to 62.4%. Per-student spending is highest at Evergreen ($18,943), followed by Oakwood ($17,091) and the Early Childhood Center ($16,857), reflecting the district's investment in early education that likely fuels later success.
Thank you for your feedback!