Oct. 30, 2025 — Grandville Public Schools has again been recognized among Michigan’s best by multiple independent sources, highlighting excellence at every level, from elementary through high school. Many districts have one “flagship” school that carries them; Grandville’s results show broad-based quality, meaning good instruction and systems everywhere, not just in pockets.
U.S. News & World Report recognizes Grandville’s K-8 schools
This week, U.S. News & World Report released its 2026 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings. Out of 1,475 Michigan elementary schools evaluated, six Grandville elementaries placed within the top 6–35% statewide for academic performance and earned a Best Elementary School Award: Central, Century Park, Cummings, Grand View, South and West Elementary Schools. East Elementary was just one ranking away from earning recognition on U.S. News’ list. Its score was only 0.09 points below the cutoff, underscoring the school’s strong academic performance.
Out of 832 Michigan middle schools evaluated, Grandville Middle School ranked in the top 15% statewide, earning a Best Middle School Award. Earlier this fall, the publication released its Best High Schools list, ranking Grandville High School among the top 12% of Michigan high schools. Oakestown Intermediate, which opened last year, will become eligible once it has at least two full years of assessment data.
U.S. News bases elementary and middle school rankings almost entirely on state test results in reading and math. Half of the score reflects how many students reached proficiency. The other half measures how those results compare to expectations for schools with similar student demographics. Scores are combined into a 0–100 overall score and then ranked within each state.
Niche names GPS among the best in the U.S.
In September, Niche released its 2026 rankings and listed Grandville Public Schools among the top 5% of districts in the state and nation, based on teacher quality, academic achievement, school culture and diversity, programs and facilities, and student and parent satisfaction. Niche’s rankings aim to offer a well-rounded look at how districts perform not only on paper, but in the lives of the families they serve. Grandville Public Schools also ranked highly in the publication’s Best Teachers in Michigan category.
Grandville High School placed among the top 6% of public high schools across the state, and Grandville Middle School earned a spot among the top 10% of middle schools, according to Niche. Central Elementary was named the Runner-Up Standout Elementary in Michigan.
A community united for students
Recognition is meaningful, but what matters most is the shared commitment to doing what’s best for students, every single day. Families often look to rankings for insight, and while they can’t capture everything, these results reflect the heart of our district.
“These recognitions aren’t just about rankings. They are about the relationships, dedication and care that happen every day in classrooms across Grandville,” said Superintendent Roger Bearup. “Our teachers, support staff and families share a common goal: helping every student grow, belong and reach their full potential. I’m so proud of what our community continues to accomplish together.”
It’s been said that a school that runs on integrity has high expectations without elitism. True excellence values relationships as much as results. After all, a district shouldn’t just perform at a high level; it should care at a high level.
Further information
Elementary school percentile placements (statewide, among 1475 schools ranked by U.S. News): Central, Top 6%; Cummings, Top 15%; CPLC, Top 25%; West, Top 25%; South, Top 30%; Grand View, Top 35%. East narrowly missed the 2026 Best List Awards by nine hundredths of a point.