Top Rankings
Plainwell Community Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 1,706 students in Plainwell Community Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 7/10, which is in the top 50% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Plainwell Community Schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
6 Schools
2,540 Schools
# Students
2,620 Students
957,552 Students
# Teachers
144 Teachers
59,784 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Plainwell Community Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 845 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 82% has decreased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#261 out of 862 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
38%
Graduation Rate
82%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.24
0.58
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
1%
4%
% Hispanic
6%
9%
% Black
2%
19%
% White
87%
61%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,076 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,604. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,228 is less than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has grown by 38% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$40 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$40 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,076
$18,604
Spending / Student
$15,228
$17,782
Best Plainwell Community Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Gilkey Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
707 S Woodhams St
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-2424
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-2424
Gr: PK-5 | 439 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #22.
Cooper Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
7559 N 14th St
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 349-2674
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 349-2674
Gr: PK-5 | 288 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #33.
Plainwell Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
720 Brigham St
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5813
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5813
Gr: 6-8 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #44.
Starr Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
601 School Dr
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5835
Plainwell, MI 49080
(269) 685-5835
Gr: PK-5 | 410 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
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