Below Average
#2650 of 3,190 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
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Plainwell
#3 of 5
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#413 of 497
In district
#3 of 6
Plainwell Community Schools
About Plainwell Middle School
Plainwell Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Plainwell, Michigan. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 587 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.3:1 with 34 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout Rating stands at 4.7 out of 10, reflecting its state ranking as #2023 out of 3204 schools in Michigan, placing it around the 37th percentile.
Academically, Plainwell Middle School has an average score of 6.1/10. In English Language Arts and Reading, 48% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 35% of students meet proficiency standards. With room for academic growth, the school is focusing on student development across various subjects.
Plainwell Middle School is situated in a town that lies on the edge of an urban area, offering a blend of small-town charm and nearby city amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Plainwell Middle School — Students at Plainwell Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
38.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 4.1/10.
How Plainwell Middle School Compares
See how Plainwell Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 33.54% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 55% (2019) to 46.81% (2022).
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. Parchment Northwood Elem School (rated 8.3/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gilkey Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Otsego High School (rated 7.5/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Otsego), 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 | 4.6 |
| Plainwell High School Plainwell | 0.2 mi | 4.0 |
| Gilkey Elementary School Plainwell | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Renaissance High School Plainwell | 1.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Dix Street Elementary School Otsego | 2.3 mi | 5.3 |
| ST MARGARET SCHOOL Otsego | 3.0 mi | 5.7 |
| Washington Street Elementary School Otsego | 3.2 mi | 5.4 |
| Otsego Middle School Otsego | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Otsego West Campus High School Otsego | 3.4 mi | — |
| Otsego High School Otsego | 3.4 mi | 7.5 |
| Cooper Elementary School Kalamazoo | 4.7 mi | 3.2 |
| Alamo Elementary School Kalamazoo | 4.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Robert D Brandon Elem School Martin | 6.9 mi | 3.4 |
| Martin High School Martin | 6.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Parchment Northwood Elem School Kalamazoo | 7.9 mi | 8.3 |
| Kalamazoo Central High School Kalamazoo | 8.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Indian Prairie Elementary School Kalamazoo | 8.7 mi | 4.8 |
| 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 | 7.5 |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Burton Middle School Grand Rapids, MI | 4.9 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle School Detroit, MI | 4.9 |
| Clio Middle School Clio, MI | 4.9 |
| Dundee Middle School Dundee, MI | 4.9 |
| Eastpointe Middle School Eastpointe, MI | 4.9 |
| Fort Gratiot Middle School Fort Gratiot, MI | 4.9 |
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 is ranked #2650 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Plainwell Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Plainwell Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Plainwell Middle School has 34.6% math proficiency and 48.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 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
- Phone
- (269) 685-5813
- 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
- #3 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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