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Below Average

#2960 of 3,190 schools in MI

Coldwater High School

High School · Coldwater Community Schools

275 NORTH FREMONT ST, Coldwater, MI 49036

Enrollment

913

Student-Teacher

25.4:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Coldwater

#7 of 7

public schools

Michigan high schools

#735 of 812

In district

#5 of 5

Coldwater Community Schools

About Coldwater High School

Coldwater High School serves 913 students in grades 9-12 in the town of Coldwater, Michigan. This regular public school operates with 36 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 25.4:1. The school currently ranks #3018 out of 3204 schools statewide, placing it in the 6th percentile among Michigan high schools, with room for academic growth and development.

Located at 275 North Fremont Street in Branch County, Coldwater High School serves a community where the median household income is $58,498 and median home values average $145,600. The surrounding ZIP code area is home to nearly 25,000 residents, with 18% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. About 17% of local families experience poverty, reflecting the economic diversity within the school's catchment area.

As a comprehensive high school in a town setting, Coldwater High School provides educational services to nearly a thousand students in a community-centered environment. The school's size allows for a range of programming while maintaining the close-knit feel characteristic of smaller Michigan towns. Students attend school in a community that balances small-town charm with the resources needed to support a substantial student body.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Coldwater High School is 25.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.3Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-4.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness4.7Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation18.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.1Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,844

Coldwater High School — Students at Coldwater High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 31.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
47%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.3/10.

How Coldwater High School Compares

See how Coldwater High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in MI
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
2.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

275 NORTH FREMONT ST, Coldwater, MI 49036

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Coldwater High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bronson JrSr High School (rated 5.4/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Bronson), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union City High School (rated 4.2/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Union City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Quincy High School (rated 3.2/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Quincy), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Coldwater, see our Coldwater schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Larsen Elementary School Coldwater 0.3 mi 6.2
Legg Middle School Coldwater 0.3 mi 5.6
Lakeland Elementary School Coldwater 0.4 mi 5.1
ST CHARLES BORROMEO CATHOLIC SCHOOL Coldwater 0.5 mi 6.5
Waldron Learning Center Coldwater 0.5 mi 5.2
Pansophia Academy Coldwater 0.8 mi 5.6
Jefferson Elementary School Coldwater 1.5 mi 6.1
Quincy Middle School Quincy 6.7 mi 6.6
Quincy High School Quincy 6.8 mi 3.2
Jennings Elementary School Quincy 6.8 mi 8.0
Tekonsha Schools Tekonsha 9.7 mi 5.2
BOWEN CREEK SCHOOL Quincy 8.6 mi 2.6
Union City Middle School Union City 10.2 mi 6.4
Union City High School Union City 10.3 mi 4.2
Union City Elementary School Union City 10.8 mi 5.6
Anderson Elementary School Bronson 10.5 mi 7.0
Bronson JrSr High School Bronson 10.6 mi 5.4
Ryan Elementary School Bronson 11.3 mi 4.8
ST MARY'S ASSUMPTION SCHOOL Bronson 11.2 mi 5.2
Fremont Middle School Fremont 15.7 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49036 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$59,649

Median Home Value

$155,000

Median Rent

$913/mo

Population

24,697

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

74.7%

Avg Commute

19.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.1%

Median Age

43

Community Profile

The community surrounding Coldwater High School has a median household income of $59,649. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $155,000, with a median rent of $913/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.1%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Battle Creek Central High School Battle Creek, MI 4.2
Chandler Park Academy High School Harper Woods, MI 4.2
Charlotte Senior High School Charlotte, MI 4.2
Eastpointe High School Eastpointe, MI 4.2
Fremont High School Fremont, MI 4.2
Lake Shore High School Saint Clair Shores, MI 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Coldwater High School

What grades does Coldwater High School serve?

Coldwater High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Coldwater High School?

Coldwater High School has an enrollment of approximately 913 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Coldwater High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Coldwater High School is 25.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Coldwater High School rank in MI?

Coldwater High School is ranked #2960 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Coldwater High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Coldwater High School has a composite rating of 4.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Coldwater High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Coldwater High School has 31.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Coldwater High School a charter school?

No, Coldwater High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Coldwater High School a Title I school?

No, Coldwater High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Coldwater High School?

52.7% of students at Coldwater High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (1,602/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Coldwater). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
913
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Branch County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Coldwater Community Schools
District Enrollment
2,744
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,967
District Rank
#5 of 5

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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