Summary:
The five elementary schools in zip code 49417, serving grades K-4 and all part of Grand Haven Area Public Schools, form a high-performing cluster in the Grand Haven, MI area, with every school exceeding state averages in most subjects and the district ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide.
For parents, the standout choice academically is Rosy Mound School, which posts the highest average proficiency (70.6%) and ranks in the 96th percentile statewide, while also having the lowest poverty rate (19.75% free/reduced lunch) and the lowest per-student spending ($15,194) in the group. Meanwhile, Ferry School tells the most compelling improvement story: despite serving the highest-need population (59.48% free/reduced lunch), it has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (5.1%) and has climbed from the 49th to the 80th percentile in state rankings over two years, likely aided by its smallest student-teacher ratio (10.8). Robinson School also impresses, achieving 62.0% average proficiency despite a poverty rate nearly double that of Rosy Mound, suggesting strong support for diverse learners. Griffin Elementary School trails the pack with 51.2% average proficiency and the highest chronic absenteeism (19.5%), while Peach Plains School spends a staggering $28,309 per student—nearly double Rosy Mound—yet still underperforms it, raising questions about spending efficiency.
Notably, spending does not predict success here: Ferry spends the most ($31,286 per student) but lags Rosy Mound, which spends the least. Grade-level gaps are also common, with Ferry showing a 27.7-point swing between 3rd and 4th grade ELA, while Robinson is stronger in 3rd grade math. All five schools keep chronic absenteeism well below the state average of 27.9%, and the district’s consistency suggests strong leadership, though the wide spending variance (from $15,194 to $31,286) is unusual and worth investigating for families comparing resource allocation.
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