Very Good
#557 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 17% in state
Gilkey Elementary School
Elementary School · Plainwell Community Schools
707 SOUTH WOODHAMS ST, Plainwell, MI 49080
Enrollment
399
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
399
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plainwell
#1 of 5
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#358 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 6
Plainwell Community Schools
Equity
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Gilkey Elementary School
Gilkey Elementary School serves 399 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Plainwell, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranking 482nd among Michigan's 3,204 elementary schools, Gilkey places in the 85th percentile statewide for academic performance. The school maintains a reasonable class size environment with a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio supported by 25 full-time equivalent teachers.
Academically, students demonstrate solid performance with 60% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 55% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's strong 8.7 out of 10 academic score. Gilkey Elementary sits in Allegan County within the 49080 ZIP code area, where families enjoy a median household income of $71,451 and median home values of $209,100.
The community of 15,516 residents shows a 10.5% poverty rate, with 27% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The school benefits from its location in a town setting on the fringe of an urban area, providing students with both community connection and access to broader educational and cultural resources.
Score Breakdown
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Gilkey Elementary School — Students at Gilkey Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
34.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.7/10.
How Gilkey Elementary School Compares
See how Gilkey Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 57% (2019) to 57.89% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 61% (2019) to 60.25% (2022).
Location
707 SOUTH WOODHAMS ST, Plainwell, MI 49080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gilkey Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Parchment Northwood Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Parchment North Elem School (rated 7.5/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Alamo Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Plainwell, see our Plainwell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Plainwell Middle School Plainwell | 0.6 mi | 4.9 |
| Starr Elementary School Plainwell | 0.7 mi | 4.6 |
| Renaissance High School Plainwell | 0.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Plainwell High School Plainwell | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| Dix Street Elementary School Otsego | 2.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo | 4.6 mi | 3.2 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Otsego | 3.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Washington Street Elementary School Otsego | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| Otsego Middle School Otsego | 3.9 mi | 4.8 |
| Otsego West Campus High School Otsego | 3.9 mi | — |
| Otsego High School Otsego | 3.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo | 5.3 mi | 6.8 |
| Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin | 6.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Martin High School Martin | 6.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo | 7.7 mi | 8.3 |
| Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
| EAST MARTIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martin | 8.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Parchment North Elem School Kalamazoo | 7.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo | 8.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Parchment Middle School Kalamazoo | 8.2 mi | 3.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49080 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,250
Median Home Value
$234,400
Median Rent
$982/mo
Population
15,410
College Educated
28.5%
Homeownership
82.7%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.4%
Median Age
43.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gilkey Elementary School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bauer Elementary School Hudsonville, MI | 7.7 |
| Bishop Elementary School Ypsilanti, MI | 7.7 |
| Brooklands Elementary School Rochester Hills, MI | 7.7 |
| Brookwood Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 7.7 |
| Dibble Elementary School Jackson, MI | 7.7 |
| Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gilkey Elementary School
What grades does Gilkey Elementary School serve?
Gilkey Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Gilkey Elementary School?
Gilkey Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 399 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gilkey Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gilkey Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gilkey Elementary School rank in MI?
Gilkey Elementary School is ranked #557 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Gilkey Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gilkey Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Gilkey Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gilkey Elementary School has 54.6% math proficiency and 59.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gilkey Elementary School a charter school?
No, Gilkey Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gilkey Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Gilkey Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gilkey Elementary School?
34.8% of students at Gilkey Elementary 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plainwell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 399
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 34.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Allegan County
- Phone
- (269) 685-2424
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Plainwell Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 2,647
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,272
- District Rank
- #1 of 6
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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