Photo: User Mxobe on en.wikipedia · Public domainKalamazoo’s public schools score below 70% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation
On the state math tests, 24% of Kalamazoo’s students scored proficient, below the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Kalamazoo, 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 96% 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.
Kalamazoo’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 825 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Kalamazoo’s, its schools beat 14%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 24% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
66% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $16,885 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then three middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Paramount Charter Academy, Kalamazoo Covenant Academy, Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (private), St. Augustine School (private), Kalamazoo Christian High School (private), St. Monica School (private), Gagie School (private), Kazoo School (private), Montessori Children's Center (private), Tree of Life School (private), Providence Christian School (private) and The Montessori 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.
What’s behind Kalamazoo’s grade
C: better than 30% of Michigan school districts, #641 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Kalamazoo, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Kalamazoo · depends on your address
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts
Grades 6–8 · 889 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Milwood Magnet School
Grades 6–8 · 731 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Linden Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 727 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Kalamazoo · depends on your address
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts
Grades 6–8 · 889 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Milwood Magnet School
Grades 6–8 · 731 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Linden Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 727 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Kalamazoo · depends on your address
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts
Grades 6–8 · 889 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Milwood Magnet School
Grades 6–8 · 731 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Linden Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 727 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Kalamazoo
Loy Norrix High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,785 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Kalamazoo
Loy Norrix High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,785 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Kalamazoo
Loy Norrix High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,785 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Kalamazoo
Loy Norrix High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,785 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Kalamazoo’s public schools are run by Kalamazoo Public School District, which also serves Kalamazoo and Oshtemo. Parts of Kalamazoo (7% and 6% of its land) are served by Portage and Comstock 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.
Well below the state in reading
Kalamazoo vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Kalamazoo’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo | C | Kalamazoo Public |
| Kalamazoo Township | C | Kalamazoo Public PK–12 · Parchment PK–12 |
| Portage | A− | Portage |
| Oshtemo | C+ | Kalamazoo Public PK–12 · Otsego PK–12 |
| Comstock | C | Comstock PK–12 · Galesburg-Augusta PK–12 |
| Parchment | C+ | Parchment |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Kalamazoo Public with Kalamazoo, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Kalamazoo
33 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: 8 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital, Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, Transition Services, Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home Youth Center School, Lets Talk About It Girls Home, Lets Talk About It Home for Young Men, Kalamazoo RESA West CampusECSE and The Epic Center).
Questions about Kalamazoo’s schools
Are Kalamazoo’s schools good?
On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Kalamazoo 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 14%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Kalamazoo in?
Kalamazoo Public School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,227 students in 26 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Kalamazoo are served by Portage and Comstock.
Where do Kalamazoo kids go to high school?
Loy Norrix High School, with 1,785 students; its own test results earn an A.
What is Kalamazoo’s graduation rate?
66% of the class of 2023 in Kalamazoo Public School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Kalamazoo spend per student?
$16,885 in Kalamazoo Public School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Kalamazoo?
Yes: Catholic Schools of Greater Kalamazoo (Catholic, grades PK–12, 743 students), St. Augustine School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 280 students), Kalamazoo Christian High School (religious, grades 9–12, 273 students), St. Monica School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 250 students), Gagie School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 207 students), Kazoo School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 156 students), Montessori Children's Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 119 students), Tree of Life School (religious, grades K–11, 97 students), Providence Christian School (religious, grades K–9, 75 students) and The Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades 1–6, 48 students). Kalamazoo also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Kalamazoo families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Kalamazoo → 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.