- Enrollment
- 2,068
- Students per teacher
- 19.7:1
- Resource Index
- 18/100
Elementary school (grades K-5) · Caledonia, MI
Explorer Elementary
Federal NCES profile for Explorer Elementary, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 33/100.
2024-25 NCES dataElementary school (grades K-5)NCES 262034000099
👥 S:T ratio 30
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 40
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Explorer Elementary earns 33/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Michigan median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #1 of 5
- elementary schools in Caledonia · Resource Index
- 33
- Resource Index · Typical
- 17.4:1
- students per teacher
- 47.6%
- free-lunch eligible
Explorer Elementary has class sizes near the Michigan median. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Explorer Elementary ranks #1 of 5 elementary schools in Caledonia, MI.
School address
District: Kentwood Public Schools · Michigan
NCES ID 262034000099 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+36 students YoY
Explorer Elementary grew from 527 students in 2022-23 to 563 in 2023-24 (+6.8%).
Teacher FTE added 32.0 → 33.0 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Growing CCD campus
+36 students YoY 262034000099 · Caledonia, MI Elementary · MID · TRAD
556 enr · 17.4:1 · 47.6% lunch · RII 33
Nearest enrollment peer: East Kentwood High School (2,068 students)
Explorer Elementary grew from 527 students in 2022-23 to 563 in 2023-24 (+6.8%). Teacher FTE added 32.0 → 33.0 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
Explorer Elementary in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- East Kentwood
East Kentwood High School
2,068 students
- Pinewood Middl
Pinewood Middle School
842 students
- East Kentwood 742
East Kentwood Freshman Campus
742 students
- Crestwood Midd 700
Crestwood Middle School
700 students
- Discovery Elem 674
Discovery Elementary
674 students
- This school 556
Explorer Elementary
556 students
What this shows Explorer Elementary reports 556 students on the CCD universe file.
How Explorer Elementary compares
Explorer Elementary is a growing campus on CCD: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 17.4:1 | ▼ 1% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 47.6% | ▼ 12% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 556 | top 20% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
17.4:1
Leaner classes than 28% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
556
Bigger than 68% of US schools by enrollment, mid-sized for the country.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
47.6%
free-lunch eligible
- 12% below the Michigan average of 54.3%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
17.4:1
students per teacher
- 1% below state mean
Top 57% in Michigan - lower ratio than 43% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
24.1%
chronically absent (missed 10%+ of school days)
At or above 20%, the commonly used threshold for "high" chronic absenteeism, signaling significant barriers to regular attendance.
Funding equity
$14,957
per pupil, district-wide
- below Michigan avg of $15,012
Somewhat below the U.S. average per-pupil spend; funding constraints may affect programs, facilities, and staffing.
Support staff
Counselors0.2 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 1 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 0.2 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
White 33.8%
African American 27.2%
Hispanic or Latino 14.0%
Asian 12.2%
Two or More 12.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%
Largest group: White at 33.8% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 76.2/100
Simpson diversity index - at 76.2, Explorer Elementary is more mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Kentwood Public Schools reports $14,957 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Explorer Elementary Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Kentwood High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Pinewood Middle School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| East Kentwood Freshman Campus | Larger | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Crestwood Middle School | Larger | Higher economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
| Discovery Elementary | Similar size | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Explorer Elementary's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 842
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 23/100
- Enrollment
- 742
- Students per teacher
- 17.3:1
- Resource Index
- 22/100
- Enrollment
- 700
- Students per teacher
- 17.1:1
- Resource Index
- 27/100
- Enrollment
- 674
- Students per teacher
- 18.2:1
- Resource Index
- 29/100
Nationwide elementary schools with similar size or staffing
Out-of-state peers matched by enrollment and by student-teacher ratio, not the same-city or same-district lists above.
Similar enrollment (~556 students)
Similar student-teacher ratio (~17.4:1)
Frequently asked questions about Explorer Elementary
How many students attend Explorer Elementary?
Explorer Elementary has 556 students enrolled. It is an elementary school in Caledonia, MI. CCD year-over-year: 527 (2022-23) → 563 (2023-24), up 36.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Explorer Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Explorer Elementary is 17.4:1, which is 1% lower than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 11% higher than the national average of 15.7:1. Lower ratios generally mean more individual attention per student.
What percentage of students receive free lunch at Explorer Elementary?
47.6% of students at Explorer Elementary are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Explorer Elementary?
The largest demographic group at Explorer Elementary is White at 33.8% of enrollment, in Caledonia, MI. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 76.2/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Explorer Elementary?
Explorer Elementary has a Resource Investment Index of 33/100 (typical reported resources relative to schools nationally) based on 3 factors: student-teacher ratio, gifted-program reporting, chronic absenteeism. Not a test-score or academic measure (national median ~41/100, see methodology).
How does Explorer Elementary rank among elementary schools in Caledonia?
By Resource Investment Index, Explorer Elementary ranks #1 of 5 elementary schools in Caledonia, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all elementary schools in Caledonia on the city page.
What other schools are in Kentwood Public Schools?
Besides Explorer Elementary, Kentwood Public Schools also operates East Kentwood High School (2,068 students), Pinewood Middle School (842 students), and East Kentwood Freshman Campus (742 students). See the Kentwood Public Schools district page for the complete list.