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Schools in Rapid River Township · Kalkaska Public Schools

Rapid River Township’s public schools score below 59% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

In Rapid River Township, 36% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Michigan average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Rapid River 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.

K–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
36%
▼ 9 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
27%
▼ 7 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
75–79%
▼ 3–7 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.8K
▼ 4% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.3
MI 16.5
Schools in town
0
1,333 students on the public path
In brief

Rapid River Township’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1225 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Rapid River Township’s, its schools beat 22%, lower than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

75–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan (the state reports Rapid River Township’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,796 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Kalkaska Middle School, then Kalkaska High School. Enrollment is up 9% 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 Rapid River Township’s grade

C+ Test scoresC Graduation

C+: better than 41% of Michigan school districts. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 41%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1225)Better than 22%
Towns in Kalkaska County (12)Better than 25%
CB−A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 664 test results and a graduating class of 110 could put Rapid River Township anywhere from C to B−. The tests are from spring 2022, when 98% of Rapid River Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (664 in math, 664 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–52 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressD to C+
6–8Kalkaska Middle Schoolin KalkaskaC
9–12Kalkaska High Schoolin KalkaskaB

Rapid River Township’s public schools are run by Kalkaska Public Schools, which also serves Bear Lake, Blue Lake, Clearwater and Coldsprings and others. Parts of Rapid River Township (9% of its land) are served by Mancelona 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.

Kalkaska Public SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,333 students, up 9% since 2020–21 · 16.3 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$15,796MI $16,528 · FY2024
C+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading36%
State average 45.4% · 664 students tested
Math27%
State average 33.6% · 664 students tested

Rapid River Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Rapid River TownshipC+Kalkaska
ColdspringsB−Kalkaska PK–12 · Mancelona PK–12
ClearwaterC+Kalkaska
CusterBMancelona
KalkaskaC+Kalkaska

3 of the 4 neighbors share Kalkaska with Rapid River Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Rapid River 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 Rapid River Townshipin other towns
Kalkaska Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Kalkaska
C+
517 students15:1Rate it →
Rapid City Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Rapid City
D
70 students12:1Rate it →
Kalkaska Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Kalkaska
C
307 students17:1Rate it →
Kalkaska High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Kalkaska
B
439 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Rapid River Township’s schools

Are Rapid River Township’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Rapid River Township children attend score below 59% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 22%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Rapid River Township in?

Kalkaska Public Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,333 students in 4 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Rapid River Township are served by Mancelona.

Where do Rapid River Township kids go to high school?

Kalkaska High School in Kalkaska, with 439 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Rapid River Township’s graduation rate?

75–79% of the class of 2023 in Kalkaska Public Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Rapid River Township spend per student?

$15,796 in Kalkaska Public Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Rapid River Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Rapid River 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.