The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Social studies. The lowest is 37% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Crestwood Middle School
Crestwood Middle School sits on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, serving grades six through eight as part of Kentwood Public Schools. It is a regular public school with a sizable enrollment for its grade band, and its student body reflects the kind of diversity that defines this part of the Grand Rapids metro area. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The racial and ethnic composition is mixed in a way that few middle schools in the region can claim, with Black, white, Asian, and Hispanic students all meaningfully represented, alongside a smaller group of multiracial students. Data on English learners and students with individualized education programs was not available, so those population sizes remain unknown here.
On state assessments, Crestwood's results paint a mixed but generally encouraging picture. English language arts is the school's clearest strength. Proficiency rates in sixth and seventh grade hover in the low-to-mid range, but eighth grade ELA, measured through the PSAT, jumps to a level where a strong majority of tested students reached proficiency. That is a standout result for a middle school serving a high-need population. Math results are more modest across all three grades, with roughly a third to a mid-range share of students proficient, though eighth grade math ticks upward relative to the younger grades. Eighth grade science landed in a similar mid-range band, while social studies was stronger, with just over half of students proficient. Taken together, Crestwood's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it above the midpoint among districts in Kent County, which is a solid standing given the economic profile of its enrollment. A parent may want to look into the gap between the stronger ELA and social studies results and the softer math numbers with the school directly.
No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say from this information whether these results represent improvement, decline, or stability. Participation rates were also missing from the state data. Because Crestwood is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to report, and no chronic absenteeism figure was provided. Information on discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance was not included in the available data, and no specialized program offerings were listed.
The surrounding community shapes what families experience here. Grand Rapids is Michigan's second-largest city and the economic anchor of West Michigan, with a heritage rooted in furniture manufacturing that has since diversified into healthcare, education, and technology. The city is known for its craft brewing scene and for hosting ArtPrize, a large-scale public art competition that activates downtown spaces each year. The Grand River runs through the center, and civic anchors include the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and Van Andel Arena. The Medical Mile corridor concentrates health-science institutions along the riverfront, and major employers such as Corewell Health, Meijer, and Steelcase drive the regional economy. Walkability is strongest downtown and fades in the outer neighborhoods where car dependence increases.
The housing market in this zip code sits near the national benchmark for home values, with typical rents that are moderate relative to income. Kent County's broader market shows steady listing activity with homes moving in roughly a month, and price growth has been modest. For families considering the area, housing is attainable by metro standards but not inexpensive.
Kentwood Public Schools has been growing its capacity at the elementary level. A new Early Childhood Main Campus opened in fall 2024, and Hamilton Elementary, a new PreK through fifth school, is scheduled to open in fall 2025. These additions may shift elementary boundaries but do not directly affect Crestwood's middle school assignments. No district-level changes specific to middle grades were identified in the available information.
Crestwood fits a family looking for a diverse, mid-sized middle school with solid literacy outcomes and a community anchored by a major regional city. The math results are the area most worth probing further.
See more original research from School Decision →