Grand Rapids Reporter

Black students' performance in the 2023-24 SAT improved in Grand Rapids Public Schools, compared to previous school year, according to the Michigan Department of Education.

Overall, Black students who took the test scored an average of 789.1. The average registered for the whole district was 885.4.

Data shows that 7.1% of the ethnic group were considered ready for college.

In the previous year, 5.7% passed the college readiness benchmark on the SAT.

In the 2023-24 school year, white students were the best-performing ethnic group on the test, boasting a college readiness of 40.7% and scores at an average of 1,066.

There were a total of 705 students taking the test in the district.

Academic performance in Michigan remains below pre-pandemic levels. According to the 2024 NAEP results, the share of students reaching the basic benchmark in core subjects is about 10 percentage points lower than in 2019—except for fourth-grade math, which saw a decline of just 2 points.

Achievement gaps between ethnic groups also persist. On average, Hispanic students scored 15 points below white students. The gap was even wider for Black students, who scored about 30 points lower than their white peers.

The 2025 education budget, approved by Gov. Whitmer last July, totals $23.4 billion—$900 million less than the previous year’s budget. K-12 schools are working with $20.6 billion, a reduction from the $21.5 billion allocated in 2024.

Some school superintendents and educators were concerned about the new budget. "Schools cannot function properly without adequate funding for safety and mental health," stated Rep. David Martin, R-Davison, referring to a significant cut of around $301 million from school safety and mental health programs. Based on the current bill, the program will receive just $26.5 million.

School	No. Tested	% Ready for College	Average Score
CA Frost Environmental Science Academy Middle High School	10	<=50%	834
City Middle-High School	16	37.5%	1,006.3
Grand Rapids Learning Center	<10	*	*
Grand Rapids Montessori Middle-High School	<10	*	*
Grand Rapids Public Museum High School	11	<=50%	802.7
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy	27	<=20%	837.8
Innovation Central High School	23	<=20%	726.1
Ottawa Hills High School	40	<=10%	704.5
Southeast Career Pathways	13	<=50%	679.2
Southwest Middle-High Academia Bilingue	<10	*	*
Union High School	50	<=10%	798.4