Best Schools in Plainwell, Michigan
5 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Plainwell?
Use this page to compare every school in Plainwell by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Gilkey Elementary School
Elementary · Plainwell Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Plainwell High School
High · Plainwell Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Plainwell Middle School
Middle · Plainwell Community Schools. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Plainwell for 2026 are Gilkey Elementary School (7.1/10), Plainwell High School (6.7/10), and Plainwell Middle School (5.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$234,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
5
in this city
Avg Score
6.0
out of 10
Median Home
$234,400
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Plainwell
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 5). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gilkey Elementary School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Plainwell High School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Plainwell Middle School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Starr Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Renaissance High School | 5.1 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.0/10
- Median household income
- $75,250
- Median home value
- $234,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 83%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Plainwell compares
Michigan rank
#229 of 372
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.2
below Michigan avg (6.2)
Median household income
$75k
103% of Michigan median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Plainwell, Michigan
Plainwell, Michigan is home to 5 schools, including 5 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.0 out of 10, schools in Plainwell show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Plainwell is Gilkey Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Plainwell is served by 1 school district: Plainwell Community Schools. These districts collectively serve 2,647 students.
Plainwell's community shows 29% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $75,250. The poverty rate in the area is 11.4%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 399 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.1 |
| 2 | 451 students · Pre-K–5th | 5.3 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 587 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 813 students · 9th–12th | 6.7 |
| 2 | 92 students · 9th–12th | 5.1 |
Schools in Plainwell
Plainwell, Michigan · 5 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$75,250
Median Home Value
$234,400
Median Rent
$982/mo
Population
15,410
College Educated
29%
Homeownership
83%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Community Profile
Plainwell has a median household income of $75,250. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,400, with a median rent of $982/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.4%. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Michigan
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Michigan
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Plainwell, Michigan
How many schools are in Plainwell, Michigan?
Plainwell has 5 schools, including 5 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Plainwell, Michigan?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Plainwell is 6.0 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Plainwell, Michigan?
The top-ranked school in Plainwell on MySchoolScout is Gilkey Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Plainwell, Michigan?
The top-ranked elementary school in Plainwell on MySchoolScout is Gilkey Elementary School with a composite score of 7.1/10.
What is the best middle school in Plainwell, Michigan?
The top-ranked middle school in Plainwell on MySchoolScout is Plainwell Middle School with a composite score of 5.7/10.
What is the best high school in Plainwell, Michigan?
The top-ranked high school in Plainwell on MySchoolScout is Plainwell High School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
How many school districts serve Plainwell, Michigan?
Plainwell is served by 1 school district: Plainwell Community Schools.
What is the education level in Plainwell, Michigan?
According to Census data, 29% of adults in Plainwell have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Plainwell, Michigan?
The median household income in Plainwell is approximately $75,250 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Plainwell, Michigan?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Plainwell is 20.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Plainwell, Michigan?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Michigan Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.