The top reported proficiency rate is 70% in English language arts. The lowest is 61% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Kraft Meadows Intermediate School
Kraft Meadows Intermediate School sits in the village of Caledonia, a small residential community in Kent County roughly fifteen miles southeast of Grand Rapids. The village has a traditional Main Street core, a rail-trail along the former Michigan Central right-of-way, and a Kent District Library branch that serves as a civic anchor. The surrounding township has been suburbanizing steadily as the Grand Rapids metro area reaches outward, with the M-6 expressway and the M-37 corridor improving access. Kraft Meadows is one of three schools located within the village itself, giving it a close-in relationship with the community center that the district's more separated campuses lack. It is a regular public school serving fifth and sixth grades, part of Caledonia Community Schools.
The school's academic results are a clear strength. On the most recent M-STEP assessments, proficiency rates were strong across every tested subject and grade. English language arts stood out, with a large majority of fifth graders and a similarly strong share of sixth graders scoring proficient or above. Math proficiency was solid in both grades, with well over half of students meeting the bar. Fifth grade science and social studies results were also above the level many schools reach. Taken together, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile relative to districts in Kent County, well above the county median. A parent looking at these results can feel confident that the school is moving students to proficiency at a rate that outpaces most of its peers in the county.
Because the school serves only fifth and sixth grades, certain metrics do not apply. There is no graduation rate, no high school course access data, and no college-readiness information, all of which reflect the grade band rather than any gap in performance. The state does not test every grade and subject at this level, so the picture is limited to what M-STEP covers for these two years. Multi-year trend data was not available, so we cannot say whether these proficiency levels are rising, holding, or softening over time. Participation rates for the assessments were also missing from the data we received. A parent who wants to understand whether performance is improving year over year may want to ask the school directly.
The student body is moderate in size for a two-grade intermediate school. It is predominantly white, with a Hispanic or Latino population that represents the next largest group, and smaller proportions of students identifying as Asian, Black, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, or two or more races. The share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch is relatively low, suggesting a community where most families are economically stable, though a meaningful minority of students do receive meal assistance. Data on students with individualized education programs and English learners was not reported, so we cannot characterize the level of specialized support populations from the available information.
On the community side, housing in the Caledonia zip code sits above both the state and national benchmarks for typical home values, reflecting the suburbanizing pressure and the area's desirability within commuting distance of Grand Rapids. The county market shows a steady flow of listings and pending sales, with homes moving in a moderate timeframe. The broader district has seen recent investment, including a bond passed in 2020 that funded construction across Caledonia Community Schools, and the Cal Community Center that opened in 2025, bringing new athletic facilities and a YMCA branch for district families.
For a parent weighing fit, Kraft Meadows offers a strong academic intermediate experience in a small-town setting with suburban access. The proficiency data is the standout feature. The gaps in trend, participation, and special-population data are worth a conversation with the school, but they reflect reporting limits rather than any sign of weakness.
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