Grand Rapids Area -- Diversity? (Wyoming, Kentwood: neighborhoods, public schools, gated)

[Nickc121]

When I was in Grand Rapids, I worked as a juvenile probation officer. I can tell you that I don't recall ever having a client who lived in forest hills. That usually speaks to an areas economic diversity.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Nickc121

When I was in Grand Rapids, I worked as a juvenile probation officer. I can tell you that I don't recall ever having a client who lived in forest hills. That usually speaks to an areas economic diversity.

You certainly like to put your own spin on things. The topic is about "racial diversity" not "economic diversity" and who's on probation. So are you saying Forest Hills is bad because you never ran into anyone in the probation department from Forest Hills?

I'm not trying to be argumentative. But when I read blatant false information and sweeping generalizations, I gotta say something.

[Nickc121]

I never said that forest hills is bad. It's a perfectly fine place to live. What exactly did I say that is "blatantly false"?

[suydam]

Originally Posted by Nickc121

You are certainly not going to find much economic diversity

I don't believe economic diversity was the topic at hand, however.

Forest Hills is certainly multi-cultural.

The 30%-40% non-white quote that was tossed around is a little misleading I think if you look at the district as a whole.

Forest Hills is about 12% non-white according to the most recent Grand Rapids magazine (where they rated Forest Hills the #1 school district in metro-GR).

East Grand Rapids, by comparison is about 8% non-white.

Are either of those staggeringly diverse? Clearly no. Are they both lilly-white? Absolutely not.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by suydam

I don't believe economic diversity was the topic at hand, however.

Forest Hills is certainly multi-cultural.

The 30%-40% non-white quote that was tossed around is a little misleading I think if you look at the district as a whole.

Forest Hills is about 12% non-white according to the most recent Grand Rapids magazine (where they rated Forest Hills the #1 school district in metro-GR).

East Grand Rapids, by comparison is about 8% non-white.

Are either of those staggeringly diverse? Clearly no. Are they both lilly-white? Absolutely not.

That was in reference to my oldest's specific class. But point taken that it might not be the entire district. So the diversity pretty much matches the national average (?)

But nick, you said "if you want diversity, you're going to want to stay away from Forest Hills". That to me was the blatant falsehood.

Hope that helps. To me, having my child go to a school that is 80 - 90% African American is not diversity.

[ckhthankgod]

Has anyone mentioned the school districts in Wyoming? All of them are diverse, but how good are they? This includes the Wyoming SD, Lee-Godfrey, Godwin Heights and maybe a portion of the Kelloggsville SD. Wyoming is also the biggest suburban community in the GR area.

[suydam]

Wyoming seems ok but not great test score wise: SchoolMatters

As you know, test scores aren't everything.

I know people whose kids have gone there and are doing great though. I'm sure it's all a matter of what you put into it as a parent.

[Nickc121]

Originally Posted by magellan

That was in reference to my oldest's specific class. But point taken that it might not be the entire district. So the diversity pretty much matches the national average (?)

But nick, you said "if you want diversity, you're going to want to stay away from Forest Hills". That to me was the blatant falsehood.

Hope that helps. To me, having my child go to a school that is 80 - 90% African American is not diversity.

I'm sorry. I think we'll have to disagree on this one. Forest Hills is just not my idea of diversity.

[ckhthankgod]

suydam, is that for all of the Wyoming school districts though? There are 4 districts that serve at least a portion of that city.

[suydam]

I searched Wyoming city.
That list includes Wyoming Public Schools (Rogers, Park), Godfrey-Lee (Lee H.S.) and Godwin Heights.