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Hall-Fowler Memorial LibraryHall-Fowler Memorial Library · Photo: Gpwitteveen · CC BY-SA 3.0
B−
Schools in Ionia · Ionia Public Schools

Ionia’s public schools score below 53% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Ionia’s districts is 28%, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Ionia, 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.

#521of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% 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
41%
▼ 4 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
28%
▼ 6 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
78%
▼ 4 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.7K
▼ 23% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.6
MI 16.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
7
2,149 students on the public path
In brief

Ionia’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1190 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Ionia’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 47% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 41% of tested students were proficient in reading and 28% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 95% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $12,742 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Ionia Middle School, then Ionia High School. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

SS Peter & Paul Elementary School (private) is in town. Douglas R Welch High School, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Ionia’s grade

B− Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 47% of Michigan school districts, #521 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 47%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1190)Better than 35%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,444 test results and a graduating class of 221 could put Ionia anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Ionia’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,444 in math, 1,443 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C+
6–8Ionia Middle SchoolIonia Public SchoolsC+
9–12Ionia High SchoolIonia Public SchoolsB

Ionia’s public schools are run by Ionia Public Schools, which also serves Easton, Ionia, Lyons and Lyons and others. Parts of Ionia (2% of its land) are served by Ionia Township School District 2 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.

Ionia Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 8 schools · 2,659 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 18.6 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$12,742MI $16,528 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading41%
State average 45.4% · 1443 students tested
Math28%
State average 33.6% · 1444 students tested

Ionia vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IoniaB−Ionia
EastonBIonia PK–12 · Saranac PK–12
BerlinA−Saranac PK–12 · Lakewood PK–12
OrangeB−Portland Public PK–12 · Ionia PK–12

2 of the 3 neighbors share Ionia with Ionia, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Ionia

8 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 Ioniaby address
AA Rather School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C+
308 students20:1Rate it →
Jefferson School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
272 students18:1Rate it →
Emerson School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
166 students14:1Rate it →
Ionia Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
C+
629 students18:1Rate it →
Ionia High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
774 students19:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Ioniarun by other districts or the state
Freedom Acres School
Grades PK–12
C
Special Education
107 students8:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Ionianot counted as local schools
Douglas R Welch High School
High · Grades 9–12
D
OnlineAlternative Education
73 students30:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
SS Peter & Paul Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
128 students19:1Rate it →

Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Handlon Correctional Facility, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility, Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility and Ionia County Career Center).

Questions about Ionia’s schools

Are Ionia’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Ionia children attend score below 53% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #521 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Ionia in?

Ionia Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,659 students in 8 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Ionia are served by Ionia Township School District 2.

Where do Ionia kids go to high school?

Ionia High School, with 774 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Ionia’s graduation rate?

78% of the class of 2023 in Ionia Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Ionia spend per student?

$12,742 in Ionia Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Ionia?

Yes: SS Peter & Paul Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 128 students).

Parents talk

What Ionia families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Ionia → 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.