Demographics and Comparison Schools – Rediscovering School and Community

Demographics of the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center and Comparison Schools

Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center staff conducts a variety of assessments with students to determine their progress. However, they also compare GRCDC students with a variety of schools. For the purposes of this study, the team selected comparison schools that had one or more characteristic in common with the GRCDC. Those characteristics include:

Geography: Campau Park Elementary is located in the same neighborhood as the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center. It is the Grand Rapids Public Schools neighborhood school in that area and draws students from near the GRCDC.
Demographics: CA Frost Environmental Science Academy, Excel Charter Academy and Grand Rapids Montessori have very similar student body demographics. See the discussion below for more detail.
Charter Schools: William C. Abney Academy and Excel Charter Academy are both charter schools in Grand Rapids.
Enrollment Requirements: CA Frost, Abney, Excel, GR Montessori and North Park Montessori all require special enrollment. Because of this, these schools draw students with families who are putting forth extra effort to ensure their children receive a high quality education.
Specialized Curriculum: CA Frost, GR Montessori and North Park Montessori use teaching styles and educational philosophies that differ from the standard public school curriculum. CA Frost is a theme school focusing on environmental education. Montessori differs from the Reggio Emilia inspired educational philosophy in many ways, but it shares a unique way of educating children, and is somewhat at odds with traditional American education.

None of the comparison schools charge tuition. They are all public schools or tuition free charters.

Student Demographics

In 2012-2013, 57% of students at the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center qualified to receive free or reduced lunch, which places them in the category “economically disadvantaged.” Fifty-five percent of students were white and 43% were African American, Hispanic or two or more races.

William C Abney Academy is a public charter school located on the East side of Grand Rapids. It has a student population that is over 98% minority. Nearly all (93%) of their students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Campus Park Elementary is a public elementary school in the Grand Rapids Public School system. It is located in the same general neighborhood on the South side of Grand Rapids as the Child Discovery Center. It’s student population is 97% minority and 99% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

CA Frost Environmental Science Academy is a K-8 theme school in the Grand Rapids Public School system. Although it is a public school, families must apply to attend, making it procedurally more like a charter school. Frost’s student body is approximately 50% minority and 59% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Excel Charter Academy is a National Heritage Academy School. NHA is a national organization of charter schools. While not religiously affiliated, their schools emphasize academic excellence, moral focus, parental partnership, and student responsibility. Excel is located on the southeast outskirts of Grand Rapids, drawing students from the surrounding communities of Wyoming, Kentwood, as well as Grand Rapids. The student body is similar to the GRCDC in race and ethnicity. Approximately 40% of Excel students are economically disadvantaged.

Grand Rapids Montessori is a specialized school in the Grand Rapids Public School system. Families must apply to attend. GR Montessori’s student body demographics are quite similar to the GRCDC’s students. Just over 50% of the student body is minority, while 64% qualify for free or reduced lunch.

North Park Montessori is also a specialized school in the Grand Rapids Public School system. Families must apply to attend. North Park students are majority Caucasian. Over one half of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch. North Park also has very few students with special needs. Fewer than 10 students are English Language Learners and less than 4% of students have a disability.

Student Demographics: GRCDC and Comparison Schools

Race/Ethnicity	GRCDC	CA Frost	Campus	Abney	Excel	GR Montessori	North Park Montessori
Caucasian	55.09%	49.27%	2.82%	Less than 10	54.56%	47.26%	70.19%
African American	15.70%	16.42%	69.48%	90.46%	18.50%	29.59%	5.29%
Hispanic	18.52%	21.41%	22.54%	7.73%	10.83%	13.37%	10.10%
Multiracial	8.30%	10.81%	4.23%	Less than 10	9.25%	7.40%	10.10%
Economics
Economically Disadvantaged	57.41%	59.24%	98.59%	92.78%	43.73%	10.76%	3.85%
Special Needs
Students with Disabilities	5.56%	14.76%	10.33%	9.26%	7.79%	10.76%	3.85%
English Language Learners	6.48%	7.07%	16.90%	Less than 10	7.27%	4.30%	Less than 10

Demographics of the Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center and Comparison Schools

Student Demographics

Student Demographics: GRCDC and Comparison Schools

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