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Average

#1306 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 41% in state

Plainwell High School

High School · Plainwell Community Schools

684 STARR RD, Plainwell, MI 49080

Enrollment

813

Student-Teacher

19.8:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,306 of 3,192

In Plainwell

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 6

Plainwell Community Schools

Academic growth

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Plainwell High School

6.7/10

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

Starr Elementary School

5.3/10

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

Plainwell Middle School

5.7/10

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

About Plainwell High School

Plainwell High School is a public high school in Plainwell, MI, part of Plainwell Community Schools. Plainwell High School serves approximately 813 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Plainwell High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,306 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Plainwell High School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.8 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • MI avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.4Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency45% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)53% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College Readiness6.9Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate87%
AP Participation18.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.7Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,272
Chronic Absenteeism23.6%

Plainwell High School — Students at Plainwell High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

33.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 39.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.9% (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
57%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
67%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2016
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2017
Math
2.5%
ELA
2.5%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
57%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Plainwell High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MI
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
4.7/10
Below Average
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.5
Sports
13
6 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
34%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
18.9% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics13sports offered
6 boys'·7 girls'·39 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 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

684 STARR RD, Plainwell, MI 49080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plainwell High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Martin High School (rated 7.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Martin), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Otsego High School (rated 6.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Otsego), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Kalamazoo Central High School (rated 6.6/10, 8.4 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), with a very similar rating. 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 5.3
Plainwell Middle School Plainwell 0.2 mi 5.7
Gilkey Elementary School Plainwell 0.8 mi 7.1
Renaissance High School Plainwell 1.4 mi 5.1
Dix Street Elementary School Otsego 2.1 mi 8.3
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Otsego 2.8 mi 5.7
Washington Street Elementary School Otsego 3.0 mi 7.8
Otsego Middle School Otsego 3.1 mi 6.5
Otsego West Campus High School Otsego 3.2 mi
Otsego High School Otsego 3.2 mi 6.8
Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo 4.8 mi 5.5
Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo 4.9 mi 7.5
Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin 6.8 mi 4.5
Martin High School Martin 6.9 mi 7.6
Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo 8.4 mi 6.6
Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo 8.0 mi 5.2
EAST MARTIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martin 8.4 mi 6.1
Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo 8.8 mi 5.2
KALAMAZOO SDA JUNIOR ACADEMY Kalamazoo 9.1 mi 6.2
Kalamazoo RESA West CampusYoung Adult Program Kalamazoo 9.3 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Central Montcalm Middle High School Stanton, MI 6.7
Chandler Park Academy High School Harper Woods, MI 6.7
Columbia Central High School Brooklyn, MI 6.7
Coopersville High School Coopersville, MI 6.7
Greenville Senior High School Greenville, MI 6.7
Ionia High School Ionia, MI 6.7

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 ranks #1,306 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Plainwell High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Plainwell High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Plainwell High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Plainwell High School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.6%
4-Year Graduation
87.0%

District

Plainwell Community Schools
District Enrollment
2,647
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,272
District Rank
#2 of 6

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