Average
#2166 of 3,190 schools in MI
Kalkaska High School
High School · Kalkaska Public Schools
109 N Birch Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
466
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kalkaska
#3 of 3
public schools
Michigan high schools
#500 of 812
In district
#4 of 4
Kalkaska Public Schools
Equity
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Kalkaska High School
Kalkaska High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located in the heart of Kalkaska, Michigan, in rural Kalkaska County, this school provides a nurturing environment for its 466 students. The student-teacher ratio at Kalkaska High School is 19.4:1, with 24 full-time equivalent teachers committed to supporting their pupils.
Kalkaska High School’s academic performance places it in the middle of Michigan schools, ranking 55th percentile out of 3204 high schools statewide. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, with an Academic Score of 6.3/10, indicating room for growth and improvement. In terms of proficiency rates, 52% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 34% achieve the same level in Math.
Set against a rural backdrop, Kalkaska High School is deeply embedded within its community, offering a close-knit environment where students can thrive and connect with their peers.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Kalkaska High 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 High School — Students at Kalkaska High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
52.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.8/10.
How Kalkaska High School Compares
See how Kalkaska High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 52% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
109 N Birch Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Kalkaska High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Elk Rapids High School (rated 7.1/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Elk Rapids), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bellaire MiddleHigh School (rated 6.0/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Bellaire), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Forest Area High School (rated 5.7/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Fife Lake), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Kalkaska, see our Kalkaska schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska Elementary School Kalkaska | 0.2 mi | 7.7 |
| Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Crawford School Kalkaska | 6.2 mi | 6.4 |
| Rapid City Elementary School Rapid City | 8.3 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 | 12.4 mi | 5.7 |
| Mancelona Elementary School Mancelona | 12.6 mi | 3.3 |
| Mancelona Middle School Mancelona | 12.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg | 10.5 mi | 8.5 |
| Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake | 13.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Bellaire MiddleHigh School Bellaire | 17.1 mi | 6.0 |
| John R Rodger Elementary School Bellaire | 17.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Woodland School Traverse City | 12.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Elk Rapids High School Elk Rapids | 14.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Sunrise Academy Elk Rapids | 14.9 mi | — |
| Cherryland Middle School Elk Rapids | 15.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Lakeland Elementary School Elk Rapids | 15.1 mi | 6.7 |
| North Central Academy Campus Bay City | 18.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Alba School Elmira | 19.7 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| ACTech High School Ypsilanti, MI | 5.6 |
| Brandywine Senior High School Niles, MI | 5.6 |
| Grass Lake High School Grass Lake, MI | 5.6 |
| Jefferson High School Newport, MI | 5.6 |
| Laingsburg High School Laingsburg, MI | 5.6 |
| Manton Consolidated High School Manton, MI | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Kalkaska High School
What grades does Kalkaska High School serve?
Kalkaska High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Kalkaska High School?
Kalkaska High School has an enrollment of approximately 466 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Kalkaska High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Kalkaska High School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Kalkaska High School rank in MI?
Kalkaska High School is ranked #2166 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Kalkaska High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Kalkaska High School has a composite rating of 5.6 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kalkaska High School has 34.5% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Kalkaska High School a charter school?
No, Kalkaska High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Kalkaska High School a Title I school?
No, Kalkaska High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kalkaska High School?
52.1% of students at Kalkaska 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,241/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Kalkaska). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 466
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 24
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 52.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Kalkaska County
- Phone
- (231) 258-9167
- 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
- #4 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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