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Elk Rapids Township HallElk Rapids Township Hall · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
B+
Schools in Nelson Township · Cedar Springs Public Schools

Nelson Township’s public schools outscore 65% of Michigan districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Nelson 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.

#358of 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
49%
▲ 4 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▲ 3 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
81%
▼ 1 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.7K
▼ 11% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.1
MI 16.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
0
2,485 students on the public path
In brief

Nelson Township’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 49% and math 37% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 81% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,657 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 2 the district’s path is Beach Elementary School, then Cedar Springs Middle School, then Cedar Springs High School. Enrollment is up 6% 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 Nelson Township’s grade

B+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B+: better than 65% of Michigan school districts, #358 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores are above the Michigan average; graduation is below it.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 65%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1237)Better than 65%
Towns in Kent County (21)Better than 0%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,624 test results and a graduating class of 264 could put Nelson Township anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Nelson Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,624 in math, 1,625 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–1Cedar Trails Elementary Schoolin Cedar SpringsNo scores
2–3Beach Elementary Schoolin Cedar SpringsB−
6–8Cedar Springs Middle Schoolin Cedar SpringsB
9–12Cedar Springs High Schoolin Cedar SpringsA−

Nelson Township’s public schools are run by Cedar Springs Public Schools, which also serves Algoma, Cedar Springs, Courtland and Solon and others. Parts of Nelson Township (19% of its land) are served by Tri County Area Schools 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.

Cedar Springs Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 3,001 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 18.1 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$14,657MI $16,528 · FY2024
B+
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading49%
State average 45.4% · 1625 students tested
Math37%
State average 33.6% · 1624 students tested

Nelson Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Nelson TownshipB+Cedar Springs
Cedar SpringsB+Cedar Springs
SpencerB+Cedar Springs PK–12 · Greenville PK–12
PiersonBTri County Area Schools
CourtlandACedar Springs PK–12 · Rockford PK–12

3 of the 4 neighbors share Cedar Springs with Nelson Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Nelson Township

4 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 Nelson Townshipin other towns
Cedar Trails Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–1 · Cedar Springs
431 students14:1Rate it →
Beach Elementary School
Elementary · Grades 2–3 · Cedar Springs
B−
445 students18:1Rate it →
Cedar Springs Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Cedar Springs
B
657 students18:1Rate it →
Cedar Springs High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Cedar Springs
A−
952 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Nelson Township’s schools

Are Nelson Township’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Nelson Township children attend outscore 65% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #358 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 65%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Nelson Township in?

Cedar Springs Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,001 students in 6 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Nelson Township are served by Tri County Area Schools.

Where do Nelson Township kids go to high school?

Cedar Springs High School in Cedar Springs, with 952 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Nelson Township’s graduation rate?

81% of the class of 2023 in Cedar Springs Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Nelson Township spend per student?

$14,657 in Cedar Springs Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Nelson Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Nelson 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.