Below Average
#3033 of 3,190 schools in MI
Plainwell High School
High School · Plainwell Community Schools
684 STARR RD, Plainwell, MI 49080
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
813
Student-Teacher
19.8:1
Score
4.0
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plainwell
#5 of 5
public schools
Michigan high schools
#766 of 812
In district
#5 of 6
Plainwell Community Schools
About Plainwell High School
Plainwell High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Plainwell, Michigan, with an enrollment of 813 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 19.8:1, supported by 41 full-time equivalent teachers. Located on Starr Road, the school sits in a town positioned on the fringe of an urban area, offering students a blend of community and accessibility to nearby resources.
Academically, Plainwell High School has room for growth across its core subjects. In English language arts and reading, 64 percent of students perform at proficient levels or above. Mathematics presents a greater challenge, with 40 percent of students meeting proficiency standards.
The school's overall academic score of 6.7 out of 10 reflects these mixed results, and its MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 places it in the 37th percentile statewide, ranking it 2,022nd out of Michigan's 3,204 schools. For families considering Plainwell High School, these metrics suggest a traditional public high school where students will find a supportive community environment while the school continues to focus on strengthening student achievement, particularly in mathematics. The school's location offers the advantages of a smaller town setting while remaining accessible to broader regional opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Plainwell High School — Students at Plainwell High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
33.9%
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: 1.6/10.
How Plainwell High School Compares
See how Plainwell High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 32% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 57% (2021).
Location
684 STARR RD, Plainwell, MI 49080
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Plainwell High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Otsego High School (rated 7.5/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Otsego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kalamazoo RESA West CampusYoung Adult Program (rated 7.4/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kalamazoo Central High School (rated 6.1/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plainwell, see our Plainwell schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Starr Elementary School Plainwell | 0.1 mi | 4.6 |
| Plainwell Middle School Plainwell | 0.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Gilkey Elementary School Plainwell | 0.8 mi | 7.7 |
| Renaissance High School Plainwell | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Dix Street Elementary School Otsego | 2.1 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Otsego | 2.8 mi | 5.7 |
| Washington Street Elementary School Otsego | 3.0 mi | 5.4 |
| Otsego Middle School Otsego | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Otsego West Campus High School Otsego | 3.2 mi | — |
| Otsego High School Otsego | 3.2 mi | 7.5 |
| Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo | 4.8 mi | 3.2 |
| Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo | 4.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin | 6.8 mi | 3.4 |
| Martin High School Martin | 6.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo | 8.0 mi | 8.3 |
| EAST MARTIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martin | 8.4 mi | 6.1 |
| Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo | 8.8 mi | 4.8 |
| KALAMAZOO SDA JUNIOR ACADEMY Kalamazoo | 9.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Kalamazoo RESA West CampusYoung Adult Program Kalamazoo | 9.3 mi | 7.4 |
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 Plainwell High 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 |
|---|---|
| Harper Creek High School Battle Creek, MI | 4.0 |
| Swan Valley High School Saginaw, MI | 4.0 |
| Flat Rock Community High School Flat Rock, MI | 4.1 |
| Riverview Community High School Riverview, MI | 4.1 |
| Sturgis High School Sturgis, MI | 4.1 |
| Voyageur College Prep Detroit, MI | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Plainwell High School
What grades does Plainwell High School serve?
Plainwell High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Plainwell High School?
Plainwell High School has an enrollment of approximately 813 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Plainwell High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Plainwell High School is 19.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Plainwell High School rank in MI?
Plainwell High School is ranked #3033 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Plainwell High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Plainwell High School has a composite rating of 4.0 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 Plainwell High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plainwell High School has 39.5% math proficiency and 64.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Plainwell High School a charter school?
No, Plainwell High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Plainwell High School a Title I school?
No, Plainwell High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plainwell High School?
33.9% of students at Plainwell 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 (1,473/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Plainwell). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 813
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 41
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 33.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Allegan County
- Phone
- (269) 685-9554
- 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
- #5 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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