Alward Elementary School

Summary:

Alward Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hudsonville, Michigan, serving 497 students in grades PK-4. As part of the highly-ranked Hudsonville Public School District, Alward consistently performs well on state assessments, with a high percentage of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Math.

Alward Elementary is a standout school, ranking among the top 10-15% of elementary schools in Michigan. The school excels in supporting diverse student subgroups, including female, male, and white students, as well as those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with 88.73% of students identifying as White, which is higher than nearby schools like El Puente Spanish Immersion and Bauer Elementary School, which have more diverse student bodies.

While Alward's academic performance is impressive, the school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, from 5.2% in 2018-2019 to 22.6% in 2021-2022, before decreasing to 9.2% in 2022-2023. This trend is worth further investigation to understand the underlying causes and implement strategies to improve attendance. Additionally, Alward's higher level of funding, with spending per student increasing from $10,533 in 2019-2020 to $13,603 in 2022-2023, may contribute to the school's strong academic results and support for various student subgroups.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-4

 3811 Port Sheldon St
       Hudsonville, MI  49426-9319


(616) 669-6700

District: Hudsonville Public School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
103rd of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,603 Help


Students who attend Alward Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Baldwin Street Middle School
High:    Hudsonville High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.8 Help
Number of students:  497

Racial breakdown:

White:
88.7%
Hispanic:
3.8%
African American:
3.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  13.3% Help


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 Compare Alward Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Alward Elementary School ranks better than 93.1% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 4th among 7 ranked elementary schools in the Hudsonville Public School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.3. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (88.7%), Hispanic (3.8%), African American (3.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 13.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Alward Elementary School is 15.8. 5 elementary schools in the Hudsonville Public School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Alward Elementary School employs 31.3 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Alward Elementary School is $13,603. 6 elementary schools in the Hudsonville Public School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Alward Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Alward Elementary School 103rd of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Alward Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Hudsonville Public School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Hudsonville Public School District 23rd of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Alward Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Alward Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 82.92 110th 1545 92.9%
2007 85.38 68th 1565 95.7%
2008 81.60 154th 1577 90.2%
2009 79.73 210th 1589 86.8%
2010 76.79 254th 1552 83.6%
2011 79.14 213th 1552 86.3%
2012 84.60 170th 1566 89.1%
2013 86.72 132nd 1563 91.6%
2014 87.58 120th 1533 92.2%
2015 85.76 158th 1580 90.0%
2016 90.95 88th 1548 94.3%
2017 91.65 58th 1466 96.0%
2018 92.94 67th 1448 95.4%
2019 89.35 98th 1408 93.0%
2021 82.34 156th 1153 86.5%
2022 87.90 122nd 1344 90.9%
2023 86.31 162nd 1470 89.0%
2024 90.30 103rd 1486 93.1%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Alward Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 90.23 53rd 1397 96.2%
2019 93.10 24th 1134 97.9%
2023 97.46 15th 1350 98.9%
2024 96.47 17th 1381 98.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Alward Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.23 116th 1443 92.0%
2019 88.06 80th 1171 93.2%
2021 79.03 135th 902 85.0%
2022 81.80 139th 1106 87.4%
2023 84.67 139th 1321 89.5%
2024 90.61 70th 1342 94.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Alward Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 93.52 48th 1446 96.7%
2019 81.38 163rd 1196 86.4%
2021 70.56 213th 915 76.7%
2022 88.86 85th 1139 92.5%
2023 80.39 211th 1334 84.2%
2024 85.74 141st 1347 89.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Alward Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 88.79 86th 1253 93.1%
2019 88.49 79th 1128 93.0%
2021 82.88 119th 1005 88.2%
2022 85.83 110th 1102 90.0%
2023 83.70 144th 1198 88.0%
2024 85.68 127th 1204 89.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Alward Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 




Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Alward Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 269 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 269
1989 289 0 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 292
1990 317 0 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 322
1991 375 0 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 378
1992 426 3 6 3 0 n/a n/a 0 438
1993 430 3 4 2 0 n/a n/a 0 439
1994 447 3 5 2 0 n/a n/a 0 457
1995 527 0 4 10 0 n/a n/a 0 541
1996 527 0 4 10 0 n/a n/a 0 541
1997 545 0 8 10 0 n/a n/a 0 563
1998 575 0 10 10 1 n/a n/a 0 596
1999 566 2 11 7 1 n/a n/a 0 587
2000 548 3 8 8 2 n/a n/a 20 589
2001 473 3 6 4 0 n/a n/a 0 486
2002 0 0 1 0 522 n/a n/a 0 523
2003 0 0 1 0 522 n/a n/a 0 523
2004 514 3 7 3 0 n/a n/a 1 528
2005 505 0 7 6 2 n/a n/a 2 522
2006 508 3 7 8 1 n/a n/a 1 528
2007 418 3 5 3 0 n/a n/a 13 442
2008 438 5 3 3 n/a n/a n/a 15 464
2009 449 5 13 17 0 n/a n/a 2 486
2010 417 4 17 18 0 n/a n/a 0 456
2011 424 4 10 16 0 0 11 0 465
2012 420 1 9 19 0 0 14 0 463
2013 404 1 9 24 0 0 12 0 450
2014 413 3 8 21 0 0 11 0 456
2015 423 5 8 17 1 0 13 0 467
2016 410 7 8 18 0 0 16 0 459
2017 383 7 8 21 0 0 16 0 435
2018 432 7 7 12 0 0 17 0 475
2019 422 6 6 14 0 0 17 0 465
2020 453 9 8 17 0 0 16 0 503
2021 418 7 9 20 0 0 16 0 470
2022 440 10 9 23 0 1 11 0 494
2023 441 16 8 19 1 1 11 0 497

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Alward Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 269 n/a n/a n/a
1989 292 n/a n/a 0.3
1990 322 18.0 17.8 0.3
1991 378 n/a n/a n/a
1992 438 n/a n/a n/a
1993 439 n/a 0.0 3.6
1994 457 18.4 24.8 2.6
1995 541 21.2 25.5 1.8
1996 541 21.2 25.5 1.8
1997 563 23.0 24.5 0.9
1998 596 24.0 24.8 0.7
1999 587 25.0 23.5 0.7
2000 589 26.5 21.5 3
2001 486 22.0 22.1 2.3
2002 523 24.5 21.3 3.6
2003 523 24.5 21.3 3.6
2004 528 24.5 21.6 6.8
2005 522 23.6 22.1 7.7
2006 528 24.2 21.8 7
2007 442 23.0 19.2 11.7
2008 464 23.5 19.7 10.5
2009 486 22.6 21.5 15.5
2010 456 22.2 20.5 18.9
2011 465 23.1 20.1 18.1
2012 463 23.7 19.5 17.1
2013 450 23.8 18.8 18.4
2014 456 24.5 18.5 16.9
2015 467 25.0 18.6 17.6
2016 459 25.0 18.3 15.5
2017 435 23.2 18.7 17.7
2018 475 25.5 18.6 18.9
2019 465 25.5 18.2 16.8
2020 503 29.2 17.2 20.5
2021 470 28.9 16.2 17.9
2022 494 28.5 17.3 17
2023 497 31.3 15.8 13.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Alward Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 269 n/a n/a n/a
1989 292 n/a n/a 0.3
1990 322 18.0 17.8 0.3
1991 378 n/a n/a n/a
1992 438 n/a n/a n/a
1993 439 n/a 0.0 3.6
1994 457 18.4 24.8 2.6
1995 541 21.2 25.5 1.8
1996 541 21.2 25.5 1.8
1997 563 23.0 24.5 0.9
1998 596 24.0 24.8 0.7
1999 587 25.0 23.5 0.7
2000 589 26.5 21.5 3
2001 486 22.0 22.1 2.3
2002 523 24.5 21.3 3.6
2003 523 24.5 21.3 3.6
2004 528 24.5 21.6 6.8
2005 522 23.6 22.1 7.7
2006 528 24.2 21.8 7
2007 442 23.0 19.2 11.7
2008 464 23.5 19.7 10.5
2009 486 22.6 21.5 15.5
2010 456 22.2 20.5 18.9
2011 465 23.1 20.1 18.1
2012 463 23.7 19.5 17.1
2013 450 23.8 18.8 18.4
2014 456 24.5 18.5 16.9
2015 467 25.0 18.6 17.6
2016 459 25.0 18.3 15.5
2017 435 23.2 18.7 17.7
2018 475 25.5 18.6 18.9
2019 465 25.5 18.2 16.8
2020 503 29.2 17.2 20.5
2021 470 28.9 16.2 17.9
2022 494 28.5 17.3 17
2023 497 31.3 15.8 13.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Alward Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $92 (0.9%) $9,916 (99.1%) $10,008
2020 $200 (1.9%) $10,333 (98.1%) $10,533
2021 $427 (3.5%) $11,669 (96.5%) $12,096
2022 $188 (1.4%) $13,191 (98.6%) $13,379
2023 $810 (6.0%) $12,793 (94.0%) $13,603

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Alward Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 98th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 162nd of 1470 Elementary schools
 4.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alward Elementary School)73.368.7
 4.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hudsonville Public School District)72.464.1
 8.3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Alward Elementary School)66.769.4
 2.7%
   3rd Grade Math (Hudsonville Public School District)76.367
 9.3%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alward Elementary School)71.274.5
 3.3%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Hudsonville Public School District)77.272
 5.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Alward Elementary School)74.367.3
 7%
   4th Grade Math (Hudsonville Public School District)71.567
 4.5%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alward Elementary School)82.472.4
 10%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Hudsonville Public School District)70.873.9
 3.1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Alward Elementary School)51.946.1
 5.8%
   5th Grade Math (Hudsonville Public School District)58.456.8
 1.6%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Alward Elementary School)34.628.9
 5.7%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Hudsonville Public School District)38.436.4
 2%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students465497
 6.9%
African American616
 166.7%
American Indian01
Asian68
 33.3%
Hispanic1419
 35.7%
Pacific Islander01
White422441
 4.5%
Two or More Races1711
 35.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients16.8%13.3%
 3.5%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Alward Elementary School

Yes. Alward Elementary School ranks in the top 6.9% of Michigan elementary schools.

Students at Alward Elementary School are 89% White, 4% Hispanic, 3% African American, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Students who attend Alward Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Baldwin Street Middle School
High : Hudsonville High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 497 students attended Alward Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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