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Schools in Gaines Township · Caledonia Community Schools

Gaines Township’s public schools outscore 95% of Michigan districts

On the state math tests, 62% of Gaines Township’s students scored proficient, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Gaines Township, 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.

#26of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 98% 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
69%
▲ 24 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
62%
▲ 28 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
93%
▲ 11 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.1K
▼ 9% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.7
MI 16.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
12
2,451 students on the public path
In brief

Gaines Township’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 69% and math 62% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,092 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 7 the district’s path is Duncan Lake Middle School, then Caledonia High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Cross Creek Charter Academy, Dutton Christian School (private) and South Christian High School (private) are in town. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Gaines Township’s grade

A+ Test scoresA− Graduation

A+: better than 95% of Michigan school districts, #26 of 699 Michigan towns. 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 95%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1045)Better than 99%
Towns in Kent County (21)Better than 67%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,293 test results and a graduating class of 353 could put Gaines Township anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Gaines Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,299 in math, 2,287 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–4Dutton Elementary SchoolCaledonia Community SchoolsA
7–8Duncan Lake Middle Schoolin CaledoniaA
9–12Caledonia High Schoolin CaledoniaA

Gaines Township’s public schools are run by Caledonia Community Schools, which also serves Bowne, Caledonia, Caledonia and Cascade. Parts of Gaines Township (17% and 16% of its land) are served by Kentwood and Byron Center instead. 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.

Caledonia Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 9 schools · 4,564 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 17.7 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$15,092MI $16,528 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading69%
State average 45.4% · 2287 students tested
Math62%
State average 33.6% · 2299 students tested

Gaines Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Gaines Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Gaines TownshipA+Caledonia
ByronA+Byron Center
KentwoodBKentwood
CaledoniaA+Caledonia
LeightonA−Wayland Union Schools

Every school in Gaines Township

14 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).

District schools in Gaines Townshipby address
Dutton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Caledonia
A
317 students16:1Rate it →
Also serving Gaines Townshipin other towns
Duncan Lake Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8 · Caledonia
A
696 students19:1Rate it →
Caledonia High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Caledonia
A
1,438 students18:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Cross Creek Charter Academy
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Byron Center
A
Charter
809 students21:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Gaines Townshiprun by other districts or the state
Countryside Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Byron Center
A+
426 students19:1Rate it →
Explorer Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Caledonia
A−
556 students17:1Rate it →
East Kentwood Freshman Campus
Secondary · Grades 9 · Grand Rapids
742 students19:1Rate it →
Crossroads Alternative High School
High · Grades 6–12 · Grand Rapids
D
Alternative Education
216 students15:1Rate it →
Southwood Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Grand Rapids
B−
302 students15:1Rate it →
Townline Elementary
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Grand Rapids
C+
320 students15:1Rate it →
East Kentwood High School
High · Grades 10–12 · Grand Rapids
B−
2,068 students19:1Rate it →
Pinewood Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Grand Rapids
B
842 students19:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Dutton Christian School
Elementary · Grades PK–8 · Caledonia
Private · Religious
821 students18:1Rate it →
South Christian High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Byron Center
Private · Religious
686 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Gaines Township’s schools

Are Gaines Township’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Gaines Township children attend outscore 95% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #26 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 99%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Gaines Township in?

Caledonia Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 4,564 students in 9 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Gaines Township are served by Kentwood and Byron Center.

Where do Gaines Township kids go to high school?

Caledonia High School in Caledonia, with 1,438 students; its own test results earn an A.

What is Gaines Township’s graduation rate?

93% of the class of 2023 in Caledonia Community Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Gaines Township spend per student?

$15,092 in Caledonia Community Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Gaines Township?

Yes: Dutton Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 821 students) and South Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 686 students). Gaines Township also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Gaines Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Gaines Township → 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.