Photo: Rickpaty · CC BY-SA 4.0Battle Creek’s public schools score below 70% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Battle Creek’s districts is 19%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Battle Creek, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.
From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Battle Creek’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 949 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Battle Creek’s, its schools beat 11%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 30% of tested students were proficient in reading and 19% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 93% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Battle Creek spends $20,168 per student and Lakeview $13,956, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Arbor Academy, Calhoun Christian School (private), Battle Creek Area Catholic School St. Joseph Elemen (private), Battle Creek Academy (private), St. Philip Catholic Central High School (private) and St. Joseph Middle School (private) are in town. West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek HS and West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Battle Creek’s grade
C: better than 30% of Michigan school districts, #641 of 699 Michigan towns. Graduation is above the Michigan average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Battle Creek, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 1,082 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Ann J Kellogg School
Grades 3–6 · 348 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center
Grades 6–8 · 145 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 1,082 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center
Grades 6–8 · 145 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 1,082 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center
Grades 6–8 · 145 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek MathSci Center
Grades 8–12 · 1 students · 0:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,241 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 978 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek MathSci Center
Grades 8–12 · 1 students · 0:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,241 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 978 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek MathSci Center
Grades 8–12 · 1 students · 0:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,241 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 978 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek MathSci Center
Grades 8–12 · 1 students · 0:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Battle Creek · depends on your address
Lakeview High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,241 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek Central High School
Grades 9–12 · 978 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek MathSci Center
Grades 8–12 · 1 students · 0:1 students per teacher
Battle Creek runs its own schools through grade 12 (Battle Creek Public Schools). From grade PK, students attend the Lakeview School District. Parts of Battle Creek (6% of its land) are served by Climax-Scotts instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Battle Creek
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Battle Creek vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Battle Creek’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Battle Creek | C | Battle Creek PK–12 · Lakeview PK–12 |
| Pennfield | B− | Pennfield |
| Bedford | C+ | Battle Creek PK–12 · Gull Lake PK–12 |
| Emmett | B | Harper Creek |
| Leroy | B− | Athens Area Schools |
| Charleston | B+ | Galesburg-Augusta |
Every school in Battle Creek
25 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Calhoun Area Career Center).
Questions about Battle Creek’s schools
Are Battle Creek’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Battle Creek children attend score below 70% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #641 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 11%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Battle Creek in?
Two districts: Battle Creek Public Schools runs grades PK–12, and Lakeview School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Battle Creek kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Lakeview High School, Battle Creek Central High School and Battle Creek MathSci Center.
What is Battle Creek’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Lakeview School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Battle Creek spend per student?
$20,168 in Battle Creek Public Schools and $13,956 in Lakeview School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Battle Creek?
Yes: Calhoun Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 352 students), Battle Creek Area Catholic School St. Joseph Elemen (Catholic, grades PK–5, 165 students), Battle Creek Academy (religious, grades K–12, 100 students), St. Philip Catholic Central High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 82 students) and St. Joseph Middle School (Catholic, grades 6–8, 79 students). Battle Creek also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Battle Creek families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Battle Creek → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.