Advertisement

GreatSchools Rating

Byron Center High School

Public | 9-12 | 1010 students

 

Be sure to visit

Take along one of
our checklists:

 
Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
Based on 1 rating
2011:
No new ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

Rate this school

Click on stars to rate
Please select a star rating for this school.
    Helpful reviews answer questions:
  • What do you think others should know?
  • What do you like?
  • How could your school improve?
    Review Guidelines
    GreatSchools won’t post reviews that contain:
  • Inappropriate language
  • Allegations of criminal conduct
  • Names of students, teachers or staff
1200 characters remaining
Please indicate your relationship to the school.
Please read and accept our Terms of Use to join GreatSchools.
Indicates a required field

14 reviews of this school


Sort by:
Show reviews by:
Posted August 15, 2012

I graduated from BCHS and went off to the University of Michigan (UM), and I did not feel prepared at all compared to my peers at UM. Looking back, BCHS put far too much emphasis on sports and not nearly enough on science, math, and worthwhile literature. News flash, BCHS: none of your students are going to go off into the world and be professional athletes. They might go off and become scientists, doctors, and business people, however. Put the emphasis where it belongs in your curriculum.
—Submitted by a student


Posted November 29, 2010

I DO NOT agree with the person who posted on september 22, 2009. That is a horrable review of Byron Center High School. It is a wonderful place. I know because I transferred in, and was the "new kid". All the other schools that I had attended isolated me in this position. At Byron, I found that many poeple approached me and said hello. I found lifelong friends there. Yes, there is alot of "cliques" in Byron Center High School, but Kentwood High and Wyoming High are ALOT WORSE. Also, Byron Center is NOT "conservative". I didn't feel pressured with religion or unreasonable rules and regulations. I currently go to a school in Sugar Land, Texas, and it has much more conservative/strict rules in place. I highly recommend this school.
—Submitted by a student


Posted July 7, 2010

BC High School offers excellent academics and opportunities for students to take college credit in high School. Staff is top notch and willing to go above and beyond to help students! I am a teacher and have worked in other districts and would only choose Byron Center Public for my own children.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 22, 2009

Worst place I've ever been. When I got to college I was not prepared at all. The kids arent nice and its super cliquey. Super conservative and in a strange community. If I was a parent in Byron Center I would try very hard to send my child to another school nearby. Its worth it, they will have a much better experience in High School.
—Submitted by a student


Posted May 25, 2009

The kids here were not very open here at all! My child was never comfortable here at all. He attended here his sophmore year and everyday would complain about how cliquey it was. He's a very social kid and usually always finds ways to get new friends, here he had some friends but they were in there cliques so he wasn't meeting a lot of kids. We're very thankful that our child is out and done with the school, he is now attending a school where he felt comfortable right away. This place is great if you have young kids, but not good for a new kid entering in High School.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 15, 2009

I was a student of the Byron Center Public schools since kindergarden. Throughout all four years of my schooling all the teachers were friendly and considerate, and more than willing to go the extra mile to help a student whether its schooling related or personal. It is because of this faculty that I am now in college, and flourishing in the classes that my peers complain about. The environment is very warm, and although it can be cliquey at times, if you open yourself up to the kids there, you will end up making life-long friendships.
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 21, 2009

I was a new student to this school and I did not enjoy my experience here at all. It's very cliquey and just not that full of very nice kids. Sure there are nice kids, but not enough to make this a fun place. The teachers a pretty great, but if you have a kid who's social and new its not a great place for them. I am very social and love to have fun and talk, but there I was very quite. I tried, trust me I tried very hard to make friends. But they weren't very open to new friends at all.
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 22, 2008

I would rate the teachers highly, but the leadership poorly. In fact, I have never had one email or phone call returned by either the principal or Mr. Gallop. I find the emphasis on sports of achedemics to be typical and disappointing. Byron Center has high parental involvement and strong family values. This is what makes the school system so strong and is why we chose the Byron Schools.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 21, 2008

As a former student, I can't say enough of good things about BCHS. The teachers really strive to lay the ground work for further study.
—Submitted by a student


Posted November 13, 2006

large school with a variety of sub-cultures that will either prove to be magnets for your children or deterrents. Hopefully, you're being the parent and your well-grounded children will flourish in this community of good teachers, a great facility and hard working staff. First class.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 19, 2005

This is a great school with great oppotunities. The school is full of inspiring and wonderful staff members.
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 24, 2005

What a blessing to have our children attend Byron Center. The teachers and staff have a plan of success for each student. We found teachers are willing to put out extra time to help students and parents with concerns. The academic programs as well as the extra curricular activities have high standards; and expect those involved to do their very best. Improvement comes with effecient teaching skills, diligence and practice. This brings in the parents involvement. There is a constant influx of communication and availability to plug in where you have skills and time. We are pleased with our move to the Byron Center School district.
—Submitted by Vicki Tasman, a parent


Posted September 9, 2004

It's an alright school. There are many people who don't like how the school is run or who the principal is. Great classes and mostly wonderful teachers. But it needs new people in command.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 24, 2004

Good school, the disilplinarian is a very strict and has power issues, but all around not to bad of a school, ... Mrs. Lolea is very cool though, so is Mr. Sanger and Mrs. Villar, very nice people!
—Submitted by Scott Post, a former student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 29% in 2013.

255 students were tested at this school in 2013.

2013

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
90%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2012-2013 Michigan used the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) to test students in grades 3 through 8 in math, reading and writing; in grades 5 and 8 in science; and in grades 6 and 9 in social studies. The MEAP is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the proficient level.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MEAP test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 29% in 2012.

235 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
37%

2011

 
 
70%

2010

 
 
76%

2009

 
 
71%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 56% in 2012.

235 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
70%

2011

 
 
76%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
74%
Science

The state average for Science was 26% in 2012.

236 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
37%

2011

 
 
78%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
71%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 41% in 2012.

235 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
91%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
93%
Writing

The state average for Writing was 49% in 2012.

236 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
61%

2011

 
 
53%

2010

 
 
62%

2009

 
 
52%
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Michigan used the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) to assess students in grade 11 in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The MME is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MME test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Reading

2012

 
 
n/a
Scale: % proficient or advanced

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Michigan used the Michigan Merit Examination (MME) to assess students in grade 11 in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The MME is a standards-based test, which measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Michigan. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, the Michigan State Board of Education implemented new definitions of what it means to be proficient on the MME test. The new standards for proficiency are higher than in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is expected to be lower as a result of this change.

See Michigan's state standards

Source: Michigan Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 89% 70%
Hispanic 5% 6%
Asian 3% 3%
Black 2% 19%
Hawaiian Native/Pacific Islander 1% 0%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 1%
Two or more races 0% 2%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 25%N/A46%
Source: NCES, 2010-2011

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 16N/A18
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Special education / special needs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus
  • Special education

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
  • Photography
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing and written arts
  • Drama
Media arts
  • Video / Film production

Language learning

Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
School leaders can update this information here.

School basics

School start time
  • 7:45am
School end time
  • 2:30pm
School Leader's name
  • Mr. Scott Joseph
Special schedule
  • Block scheduling
  • Extended/longer school day
Fax number
  • (616) 878-6620

Programs

Specific academic themes or areas of focus

Don't understand these terms?
  • Special education
Foreign languages taught
  • Spanish
School leaders can update this information here.

Sports

Boys sports
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross country
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Wrestling
Girls sports
  • Basketball
  • Cheerleading
  • Cross country
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track
  • Volleyball

Arts & music

Visual arts
  • Ceramics
  • Painting
  • Photography
Music
  • Band
  • Choir / Chorus
  • Orchestra
Performing arts
  • Drama
Media arts
  • Video / Film production
School leaders can update this information here.

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events found for this school
Searching for school events...
Date
Title
  • {{date}}
    {{title}}
Export calendar
Microsoft Outlook
iCal Format
Google Calendar
POWERED BY
Tandem

School culture

Dress Code
  • Dress code
School leaders can update this information here.

Apply

 

TIP: Don't forget to ask about documents required for enrollment, such as your child's birth certificate, proof of address, or a record of immunizations.

 
Apply now
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

8500 Burlingame Ave SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
Website: Click here
Phone: (616) 878-6600

ADVERTISEMENT

Compare this school
to nearby schools

Compare schools »

Compare

Add this school to compare

Nearby schools

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT