Very Good
#540 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 17% in state
Kalkaska Elementary School
Elementary School · Kalkaska Public Schools
309 N Birch Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
501
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalkaska
#1 of 3
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#348 of 1,602
In district
#2 of 4
Kalkaska Public Schools
School environment
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Kalkaska Elementary School
Kalkaska Elementary School serves 501 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in the rural community of Kalkaska, Michigan. With 43 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking impressively at #137 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 96th percentile among Michigan schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education to its students. Kalkaska Elementary operates as a regular public school in Kalkaska County, serving families in a community where the median household income is $51,760 and median home values average $143,300. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 8,561 residents, with 14% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.2%.
Located on North Birch Street, Kalkaska Elementary sits in Michigan's rural landscape, providing students with a small-town educational experience where they can develop strong relationships with teachers and peers in a close-knit community setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Kalkaska Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Kalkaska Elementary School — Students at Kalkaska Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 8 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: 6.5/10.
How Kalkaska Elementary School Compares
See how Kalkaska Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 47% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
309 N Birch Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kalkaska Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Rapid City Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Rapid City), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Mill Creek Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Woodland School (rated 8.0/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalkaska, see our Kalkaska schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska High School Kalkaska | 0.2 mi | 5.6 |
| Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Crawford School Kalkaska | 6.3 mi | 6.4 |
| Rapid City Elementary School Rapid City | 8.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Forest Area Middle School Fife Lake | 11.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Forest Area High School Fife Lake | 11.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Mancelona High School Mancelona | 12.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Mancelona Elementary School Mancelona | 12.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Mancelona Middle School Mancelona | 12.8 mi | 8.2 |
| Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg | 10.4 mi | 8.5 |
| Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake | 14.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Bellaire MiddleHigh School Bellaire | 16.9 mi | 6.0 |
| John R Rodger Elementary School Bellaire | 16.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodland School Traverse City | 12.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Elk Rapids High School Elk Rapids | 14.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Sunrise Academy Elk Rapids | 14.8 mi | — |
| Cherryland Middle School Elk Rapids | 14.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lakeland Elementary School Elk Rapids | 15.0 mi | 6.7 |
| North Central Academy Campus Bay City | 18.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Alba School Elmira | 19.6 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49646 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,188
Median Home Value
$167,500
Median Rent
$712/mo
Population
8,573
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
83.6%
Avg Commute
28.5 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
43.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Kalkaska Elementary School has a median household income of $55,188. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $167,500, with a median rent of $712/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
| Endeavor Elementary Grand Rapids, MI | 7.7 |
| Floyd School Midland, MI | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kalkaska Elementary School
What grades does Kalkaska Elementary School serve?
Kalkaska Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Kalkaska Elementary School?
Kalkaska Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 501 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kalkaska Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kalkaska Elementary School is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kalkaska Elementary School rank in MI?
Kalkaska Elementary School is ranked #540 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Kalkaska Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kalkaska Elementary School has 44.5% math proficiency and 44.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kalkaska Elementary School a charter school?
No, Kalkaska Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kalkaska Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Kalkaska Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kalkaska Elementary School?
67.7% of students at Kalkaska 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 (Kalkaska). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 501
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 43
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Kalkaska County
- Phone
- (231) 258-8629
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Kalkaska Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,372
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,423
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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