News Summary
Kent and Ottawa counties are celebrating increased graduation rates in 2024, with many public schools surpassing state averages. Spring Lake Public Schools leads with an impressive 99.53% graduation rate. Overall, the four-year graduation rate in Michigan rose to 82.83%, reflecting schools’ efforts to help students succeed. While some districts faced challenges, community support and partnerships are helping schools improve. The enthusiasm surrounding this year’s achievements signifies a promising trajectory for local education.
Great News for Graduates in Kent and Ottawa Counties!
This year has turned out to be a delightful surprise for students in Kent and Ottawa counties as 2024 marks a wonderful trend in graduation rates! According to state data, nearly every public school district in these areas has experienced an increase in their graduation rates. Isn’t that fantastic? While a few districts in West Michigan reported dips in their graduation numbers, the vast majority soared above the state average, making this news even sweeter!
Leading the Pack: Spring Lake Public Schools
Topping the charts, Spring Lake Public Schools achieved an incredible graduation rate of 99.53%! Out of 211 seniors, a whopping 210 graduated! It doesn’t get much better than having a 0% dropout rate, right?
Overall Graduation Rates on the Rise
Across Michigan, the overall four-year graduation rate rose to 82.83% in 2024, up from 81.77% in 2023. This upward trend shows that schools are making real progress in helping students cross that all-important finish line! It’s like a little victory dance happening across the state!
Spotlight on Grand Rapids
In the Grand Rapids area, Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) graduated 82.53% of its seniors this year, which is an increase from last year’s rate of 82.39%. Even if it’s still below the state average, any rise is encouraging! Meanwhile, in Kent County, Comstock Park Public Schools proudly recorded the highest graduation rate at 98.33%, graduating 118 of 120 students with a minimal dropout rate of 0.83%!
Over 95%? You Bet!
When it comes to celebrating successes, some impressive schools have also joined the 95% graduation rate club! East Grand Rapids Public Schools, Grandville Public Schools, Forest Hills Public Schools, Byron Center Public Schools, and Rockford Public Schools all did a remarkable job, maintaining rates above 95%. And let’s not forget Byron Center Charter School, which gleefully reported a perfect 100% graduation rate with a tiny student population of less than ten!
Noteworthy Strides in Holland
Over in Holland, the good news just keeps getting better! Holland Public Schools saw one of the most significant increases in the area, leaping nearly 10% from a graduation rate of 71.9% in 2023 to 81.64% in 2024. Students there are hitting their stride and crossing thresholds like champs!
Attention to Challenges
Despite all the positives, it’s important to acknowledge that not all schools are keeping pace. About 9.6% of Kent County’s 228 schools received flags for requiring some kind of support due to low performance—this comes as a gentle reminder that every student needs the right resources to succeed. Within this context, a total of 21 schools were categorized as low-performing by the Michigan Department of Education.
Community Support is Key!
For schools in need, partnerships with the Michigan Department of Education can bring in essential resources and support. As districts rally together, there’s a forward-thinking mindset that promotes growth and encourages success. GRPS, for example, even celebrated a 10% increase in the total number of graduates from 683 in 2023 to 756 in 2024, despite facing declining enrollment. Now that’s a win!
Wrapping Up On a High Note
In summary, the schools in Kent and Ottawa counties are definitely raising the bar! With inspiring increases in graduation rates and heartfelt stories of students reaching their goals, there’s a lot of positivity to celebrate in our local education system. Here’s to even more continued success for all students in the years to come!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Kent County Faces Educational Challenges with Low-Performing Schools
Grand Rapids Public Schools Reports Significant Progress
Additional Resources
- MLive: This school district has the highest graduation rate in the Grand Rapids area
- Wikipedia: Graduation Rate
- MLive: 21 Kent County schools on state watch list for performance
- Google Search: Kent County schools performance
- MLive: 13 Grand Rapids area schools included in state’s top 50 districts for 2025
- Google Scholar: Michigan school districts
- MLive: Top 50 school districts in Michigan for 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School
- MLive: Top 10 Grand Rapids area high schools in the latest US News rankings
- Google News: Grand Rapids high schools rankings
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
