Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 49428

The six elementary schools in zip code 49428 (Jenison, MI) serve grades Pre-K/K through 5th or 6th and collectively enroll about 2,170 students, all part of the highly ranked Jenison Public Schools district, which holds a 5-star rating and ranks #52 out of 625 districts in Michigan.

This is an exceptionally strong cluster of schools—every one ranks in the top 28% of Michigan elementary schools, and three achieve 5-star status. Bauerwood School is the academic leader, ranking #71 statewide (95th percentile) with standout 6th grade math (77.8% proficiency) and 5th grade social studies (70.7%), though it also has the highest chronic absenteeism rate (12.4%). Rosewood School offers the most consistent performance across all grades and subjects, ranking #93 (94th percentile) with ELA proficiency ranging narrowly from 60.8% to 71.8%. Pinewood School is the most improved, jumping from the 86th to 92nd percentile in one year, driven by a 22-point surge in 5th grade social studies to 76.4%. Meanwhile, Bursley School (82nd percentile) and Sandy Hill School (80th percentile) are solid but trail the top three, with Sandy Hill showing the weakest math scores (47.3% average). JIA Elementary, with only 83 students, ranks 72nd percentile but shows volatile year-to-year swings—its 4th grade math plummeted from 66.7% to 35.7%, a change that could reflect just a few students.

Notably, all schools dramatically exceed state averages in every subject, even the lowest performer. However, a clear socioeconomic gradient exists: schools with lower free/reduced lunch rates (Pinewood at 19.4%, Rosewood at 21%, Bauerwood at 22.1%) occupy the top three spots, while higher-poverty schools (Bursley at 35.4%, Sandy Hill at 38.6%) rank lowest. Interestingly, per-student spending shows no clear relationship with outcomes—Bauerwood spends $18,383 and excels, while JIA spends the least ($11,729) yet still beats state norms. For families, Bauerwood is the top choice academically, Rosewood offers the most reliable consistency, and any of these schools provide a strong elementary education well above Michigan averages.