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Schools in Elk Rapids · Elk Rapids Schools

Elk Rapids’s public schools outscore 90% of Michigan districts

49% of students in Elk Rapids’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Elk Rapids, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.

Reading proficiency
65%
▲ 20 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▲ 15 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 8–12 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.9K
▼ 22% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.9
MI 16.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
926 students on the public path
In brief

Elk Rapids’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 1240 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Elk Rapids’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 90% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 65% and math 49% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,921 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Cherryland Middle School, then Elk Rapids High School. Enrollment is down 23% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Elk Rapids’s grade

A Test scoresB+ Graduation

A: better than 90% of Michigan school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 90%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1240)Better than 96%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 568 test results and a graduating class of 103 could put Elk Rapids anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Elk Rapids’s students in the tested grades sat them (570 in math, 566 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Elk Rapids, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Lakeland Elementary SchoolElk Rapids SchoolsB+
6–8Cherryland Middle SchoolElk Rapids SchoolsA−
9–12Elk Rapids High SchoolElk Rapids SchoolsA

Elk Rapids’s public schools are run by Elk Rapids Schools, which also serves Acme, Elk Rapids, Milton and Torch Lake and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Elk Rapids SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 947 students, down 23% since 2020–21 · 17.9 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$12,921MI $16,528 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading65%
State average 45.4% · 566 students tested
Math49%
State average 33.6% · 570 students tested

Elk Rapids vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Elk Rapids’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Elk RapidsAElk Rapids Schools

Every school in Elk Rapids

3 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).

Also serving Elk Rapidsin other towns
Lakeland Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
289 students16:1Rate it →
Cherryland Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
277 students17:1Rate it →
Elk Rapids High School
High · Grades 9–12
A
360 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Elk Rapids’s schools

Are Elk Rapids’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Elk Rapids children attend outscore 90% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Elk Rapids in?

Elk Rapids Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 947 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Elk Rapids kids go to high school?

Elk Rapids High School, with 360 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Elk Rapids’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Elk Rapids Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Elk Rapids spend per student?

$12,921 in Elk Rapids Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Elk Rapids families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Elk Rapids → 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.