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Average

#2082 of 3,192 schools in MI

Plainwell Middle School

Middle School · Plainwell Community Schools

720 BRIGHAM ST, Plainwell, MI 49080

Enrollment

587

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,082 of 3,192

In Plainwell

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#3 of 6

Plainwell Community Schools

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Plainwell Middle School

5.7/10

Middle School in Plainwell · grades 6th – 8th. 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 High School

6.7/10

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

About Plainwell Middle School

Plainwell Middle School is a public middle school in Plainwell, MI, part of Plainwell Community Schools. Plainwell Middle School serves approximately 587 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Plainwell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks #2,082 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Plainwell Middle School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with MI schools
  • This school 5.7 · Average
  • MI avg 5.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.23 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33.5% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+4.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+8.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile40th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,272
Chronic Absenteeism23.5%

Plainwell Middle School — Students at Plainwell Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

38.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 58.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 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
87%
ELA
89%
2010
Math
85%
ELA
85%
2011
Math
43%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
49%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
50%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
46%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
45%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
48%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
33.6%
ELA
47%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Plainwell Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in MI
Academic
5.8/10
Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

Location

720 BRIGHAM ST, Plainwell, MI 49080

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Plainwell Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Dix Street Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 2.3 miles away, in nearby Otsego), which scores notably higher. Another option is Washington Street Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Otsego), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Martin High School (rated 7.6/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Martin), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Plainwell, see our Plainwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Starr Elementary School Plainwell 0.1 mi 5.3
Plainwell High School Plainwell 0.2 mi 6.7
Gilkey Elementary School Plainwell 0.6 mi 7.1
Renaissance High School Plainwell 1.3 mi 5.1
Dix Street Elementary School Otsego 2.3 mi 8.3
ST MARGARET SCHOOL Otsego 3.0 mi 5.7
Washington Street Elementary School Otsego 3.2 mi 7.8
Otsego Middle School Otsego 3.3 mi 6.5
Otsego West Campus High School Otsego 3.4 mi
Otsego High School Otsego 3.4 mi 6.8
Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo 4.7 mi 5.5
Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo 4.9 mi 7.5
Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin 6.9 mi 4.5
Martin High School Martin 6.9 mi 7.6
Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo 7.9 mi 5.2
Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo 8.3 mi 6.6
Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo 8.7 mi 5.2
EAST MARTIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Martin 8.4 mi 6.1
KALAMAZOO SDA JUNIOR ACADEMY Kalamazoo 9.0 mi 6.2
Parchment North Elem School Kalamazoo 8.1 mi 4.8

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
Avondale Middle School Rochester Hills, MI 5.7
Chippewa Hills Middle School Remus, MI 5.7
Fruitport Middle School Fruitport, MI 5.7
Macatawa Bay Middle School Holland, MI 5.7
Parker Middle School Howell, MI 5.7
Scarlett Middle School Ann Arbor, MI 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Plainwell Middle School

What grades does Plainwell Middle School serve?

Plainwell Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Plainwell Middle School?

Plainwell Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 587 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Plainwell Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Plainwell Middle School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Plainwell Middle School rank in MI?

Plainwell Middle School ranks #2,082 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Plainwell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Plainwell Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.7 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Plainwell Middle School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Plainwell Middle School a charter school?

No, Plainwell Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Plainwell Middle School a Title I school?

No, Plainwell Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Plainwell Middle School?

38.7% of students at Plainwell Middle 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
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
34 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Allegan County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.5%

District

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

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