- Enrollment
- 955
- Students per teacher
- 24.5:1
- Resource Index
- 25/100
Other / mixed grade configuration · Grand Rapids, MI
Palmer School
Federal NCES profile for Palmer School, including enrollment, faculty, free-lunch eligibility, demographics, and resource indicators - Resource Investment Index 21/100.
2024-25 NCES dataOther / mixed grade configurationNCES 261644005336
👥 S:T ratio 32
🌟 Gifted program 30
📋 Attendance 0
Scored 0–100 from federal NCES and CRDC indicators, resource allocation, not test scores. Full methodology →
The verdict
Palmer School earns 21/100 on the Resource Investment Index, with class sizes near the Michigan median. It is also more racially and ethnically mixed than most Michigan schools.
- #33 of 44
- schools in Grand Rapids · Resource Index
- 21
- Resource Index · Lower
- 17:1
- students per teacher
- 79.2%
- free-lunch eligible
Palmer School has class sizes near the Michigan median. Computed live against every Michigan school reporting to NCES.
By Resource Investment Index, Palmer School ranks #33 of 44 schools in Grand Rapids, MI.
School address
District: Grand Rapids Public Schools · Michigan
NCES ID 261644005336 Verify on NCES CCD record →
CCD year-over-year · 2022-23 → 2023-24
+6 students YoY
Palmer School held near 184 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+6 headcount).
Teacher FTE held 11.9 → 11.7 across the same CCD years.
Source: NCES Common Core of Data public-school universe (2022-23, 2023-24).
Steady CCD campus
+6 students YoY 261644005336 · Grand Rapids, MI Other · SMALL · TRAD
187 enr · 17:1 · 79.2% lunch · RII 21
Nearest enrollment peer: City Middlehigh (955 students)
Palmer School held near 184 students from 2022-23 to 2023-24 (+6 headcount). Teacher FTE held 11.9 → 11.7 across the same CCD years. Read with this school → · District book → · Michigan schools → · Find another →
Palmer School in the enrollment neighbourhood
Fall enrollment among this campus and nearest district peers
- City Middlehig
City Middlehigh
955 students
- Union High Sch
Union High School
881 students
- Harrison Park
Harrison Park Academy
708 students
- Southwest Elem
Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue
661 students
- Grand Rapids U
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
494 students
- This school 187
Palmer School
187 students
What this shows Palmer School reports 187 students on the CCD universe file.
How Palmer School compares
Palmer School held steady on CCD headcount: ratios and free-lunch share vs Michigan and U.S. means.
| Metric | This school | vs Michigan | Michigan avg | U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students per teacher | 17:1 | ▼ 3% | 17.5:1 | 15.7:1 |
| Free-lunch eligible | 79.2% | ▲ 46% | 54.3% | 51.7% |
| Enrollment | 187 | top 77% | - | - |
Source: NCES Common Core of Data School-level CCD + state/national means from Public School Universe · 2024-25
17:1
Leaner classes than 30% of US schools, heavier class loads than most.
187
Bigger than 18% of US schools by enrollment, a small campus.
Equity indicators methodology
Economic need
79.2%
free-lunch eligible
- 46% above the Michigan average of 54.3%
Above the 40% Title I schoolwide threshold; federal funds support the whole school, not individual students.
Staffing depth
17:1
students per teacher
- 3% below state mean
Top 53% in Michigan - lower ratio than 47% of state schools
Between 16:1 and 20:1, squarely in the typical U.S. public-school staffing range.
Engagement
53.5%
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
$17,565
per pupil, district-wide
- above Michigan avg of $15,012
Close to the U.S. public-school average per-pupil spend.
Support staff
Counselors0.0 FTE
Student-support staffing from the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Discipline context
0
in-school suspensions + 20 out-of-school
Suspension rate: 0.0 per 100 students. Combined in-school and out-of-school rate: 10.7 per 100 students. Reported via the Civil Rights Data Collection.
Student demographics
African American 31.6%
Hispanic or Latino 27.3%
White 22.5%
Two or More 15.5%
Asian 2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native 1.1%
Largest group: African American at 31.6% of enrollment.
Student-body diversity index 75.0/100
Simpson diversity index - at 75.0, Palmer School is more mixed than the Michigan school average of 36.2.
Programs
District finance for Grand Rapids Public Schools reports $17,565 per pupil (NCES F-33) - open the district page for the full revenue mix.
How Palmer School Compares to District-Mates
| School | Enrollment | Economic Profile | Student-Teacher Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| City Middlehigh | Larger | Lower economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Union High School | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Harrison Park Academy | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Southwest Elementary Academia Bilingue | Larger | Similar economic need | Higher S:T ratio |
| Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy | Larger | Similar economic need | Similar S:T ratio |
Comparisons are relative to Palmer School's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data.
Other Schools in This District
- Enrollment
- 881
- Students per teacher
- 19.6:1
- Resource Index
- 13/100
- Enrollment
- 708
- Students per teacher
- 20.8:1
- Resource Index
- 16/100
- Enrollment
- 661
- Students per teacher
- 20:1
- Resource Index
- 21/100
- Enrollment
- 494
- Students per teacher
- 17.6:1
- Resource Index
- 15/100
Similar other schools in Grand Rapids
6 comparable other schools (grades Mixed) serving the same city.
City Middlehigh
Standard public school
955 students 24.5:1 students per teacher
Harrison Park Academy
Standard public school
708 students 20.8:1 students per teacher
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy
Standard public school
494 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center
Standard public school
287 students 19.1:1 students per teacher
Hope Academy of West Michigan
Standard public school
284 students 10.1:1 students per teacher
Mulick Park Elementary School
Standard public school
264 students 17.6:1 students per teacher
Nationwide other 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 (~187 students)
Frequently asked questions about Palmer School
How many students attend Palmer School?
Palmer School has 187 students enrolled. It is a public school in Grand Rapids, MI. CCD year-over-year: 178 (2022-23) → 184 (2023-24), nearly flat (+6).
What is the student-teacher ratio at Palmer School?
The student-teacher ratio at Palmer School is 17:1, which is 3% lower than the Michigan average of 17.5:1 and 8% 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 Palmer School?
79.2% of students at Palmer School are eligible for free lunch, compared to the Michigan average of 54.3%.
What is the racial and ethnic makeup of Palmer School?
The largest demographic group at Palmer School is African American at 31.6% of enrollment, in Grand Rapids, MI. Its student body is more racially and ethnically mixed than most US schools, with a diversity index of 75.0/100.
What is the Resource Investment Index for Palmer School?
Palmer School has a Resource Investment Index of 21/100 (lower 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 Palmer School rank among schools in Grand Rapids?
By Resource Investment Index, Palmer School ranks #33 of 44 schools in Grand Rapids, MI. This compares federal resource and staffing data among local peers; it is not a test-score or academic ranking. See all schools in Grand Rapids on the city page.
What other schools are in Grand Rapids Public Schools?
Besides Palmer School, Grand Rapids Public Schools also operates City Middlehigh (955 students), Union High School (881 students), and Harrison Park Academy (708 students). See the Grand Rapids Public Schools district page for the complete list.