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Average

#1539 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 48% in state

Kalkaska High School

High School · Kalkaska Public Schools

109 N Birch Street, Kalkaska, MI 49646

Enrollment

466

Student-Teacher

19.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,539 of 3,192

In Kalkaska

#2 of 4

public schools

In district

#2 of 4

Kalkaska Public Schools

Academic growth

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Kalkaska High School

6.4/10

High School in Kalkaska · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kalkaska Elementary School

7.7/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Kalkaska Middle School

5.0/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kalkaska High School

Kalkaska High School is a public high school in Kalkaska, MI, part of Kalkaska Public Schools. Kalkaska High School serves approximately 466 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Kalkaska High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,539 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Kalkaska High School show 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with MI schools
  • This school 6.4 · Average
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Kalkaska High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

38% of students at Kalkaska High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.6Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics7.2Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency42% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile58th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate72%
AP Participation11.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,423
Chronic Absenteeism38.4%

Kalkaska High School — Students at Kalkaska High School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 30.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2010
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
22%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
52%

* 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: 8.6/10.

How Kalkaska High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in MI
Academic
7.2/10
Very Good
Growth
8.6/10
Excellent
Environment
4.3/10
Below Average
AP Courses
3
State avg: 2.5
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.4%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs3 AP courses offered
11.8% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·10 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.9/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Elk Rapids), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bellaire MiddleHigh School (rated 7.7/10, 17.1 miles away, in nearby Bellaire), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mancelona High School (rated 7.6/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Mancelona), which scores notably higher. 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 5.0
Crawford School Kalkaska 6.2 mi 2.6
Rapid City Elementary School Rapid City 8.3 mi 4.4
Forest Area Middle School Fife Lake 11.1 mi 4.1
Forest Area High School Fife Lake 11.1 mi 6.1
Mancelona High School Mancelona 12.4 mi 7.6
Mancelona Elementary School Mancelona 12.6 mi 4.0
Mancelona Middle School Mancelona 12.9 mi 7.3
Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg 10.5 mi 8.5
Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake 13.9 mi 4.5
Bellaire MiddleHigh School Bellaire 17.1 mi 7.7
John R Rodger Elementary School Bellaire 17.1 mi 4.2
Woodland School Traverse City 12.5 mi 6.7
Elk Rapids High School Elk Rapids 14.9 mi 7.9
Sunrise Academy Elk Rapids 14.9 mi
Cherryland Middle School Elk Rapids 15.0 mi 7.4
Lakeland Elementary School Elk Rapids 15.1 mi 7.0
North Central Academy Campus Bay City 18.3 mi 6.9
Alba School Elmira 19.7 mi 7.0

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ACTech High School Ypsilanti, MI 6.4
Bendle High School Burton, MI 6.4
Brown City High School Brown City, MI 6.4
Caro High School Caro, MI 6.4
Charyl Stockwell Academy High School Brighton, MI 6.4
ClimaxScotts High School Climax, MI 6.4

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 ranks #1,539 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Kalkaska High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kalkaska High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kalkaska High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kalkaska High School has 30% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
45 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.4%
4-Year Graduation
72.0%

District

Kalkaska Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,372
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,423
District Rank
#2 of 4

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