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Michigan Paper Company Mill Historic DistrictMichigan Paper Company Mill Historic District · Photo: rossograph · CC BY-SA 4.0
B
Schools in Plainwell · Plainwell Community Schools

Plainwell’s public schools outscore 64% of Michigan districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Plainwell, 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.

#374of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
48%
▲ 3 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
$13.5K
▼ 18% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.3
MI 16.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
1,418 students on the public path
In brief

Plainwell’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 48% 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 $13,495 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Plainwell Middle School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Renaissance High School and Plainwell High School, online schools, are based here too; they aren’t counted as local schools. 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 Plainwell’s grade

B+ Test scoresC+ Graduation

B: better than 64% of Michigan school districts, #374 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores are above the Michigan average; graduation is below it.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 64%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1228)Better than 63%
BB+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,322 test results and a graduating class of 232 could put Plainwell anywhere from B to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Plainwell’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,323 in math, 1,321 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC to B+
6–8Plainwell Middle SchoolPlainwell Community SchoolsB−

Plainwell’s public schools are run by Plainwell Community Schools, which also serves Cooper and Gun Plain. 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.

Plainwell Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 6 schools · 2,620 students · 18.3 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$13,495MI $16,528 · FY2024
B
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading48%
State average 45.4% · 1321 students tested
Math37%
State average 33.6% · 1323 students tested

Plainwell vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PlainwellBPlainwell
Gun PlainBPlainwell
OtsegoAOtsego

Every school in Plainwell

5 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 Plainwellby address
Gilkey Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B+
439 students18:1Rate it →
Starr Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
410 students15:1Rate it →
Plainwell Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
569 students17:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Plainwellnot counted as local schools
Renaissance High School
High · Grades 9–12
C−
OnlineAlternative Education
86 students34:1Rate it →
Plainwell High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
Online
828 students21:1Rate it →

Questions about Plainwell’s schools

Are Plainwell’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Michigan: the public schools Plainwell children attend outscore 64% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #374 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 63%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Plainwell in?

Plainwell Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,620 students in 6 schools (2024–25).

What is Plainwell’s graduation rate?

81% of the class of 2023 in Plainwell Community Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Plainwell spend per student?

$13,495 in Plainwell Community Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Plainwell families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Plainwell → 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.