Eaton County Schools & Education

Eaton County, Michigan

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

23/100

Higher = better

Rating

Below Average

Graduation Rate

81.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

81.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 82.5%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,813

National avg $13,239

State avg $7,394

School Score

23/100

Higher = better

State avg 35/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#68

of 83 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Eaton County

School Verdict

Eaton County faces educational challenges with a school score of 23/100 and a graduation rate of 81.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.

Funding Context

At $6,813 per pupil, Eaton County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Eaton County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 35% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.5 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Eaton County, Michigan

A Diverse and Expansive Educational Network

Eaton County boasts a large-scale system with 45 public schools serving 16,767 students across 13 districts. This infrastructure includes 19 elementary, nine middle, and 12 high schools, making it one of the most comprehensive in the region. The county offers a blend of traditional districts and specialized alternative or special education schools.

Steady Performance in a Large-Scale System

The county maintains a graduation rate of 81.0%, which is competitive with the Michigan state average. Educators manage a per-pupil expenditure of $6,813, prioritizing efficiency while serving a large and diverse student body. The overall school score of 48.4 reflects the challenges and successes of managing a high-volume system.

Grand Ledge and Charlotte Anchor the Region

Grand Ledge Public Schools is the heavyweight district, serving 5,065 students across eight schools. Charlotte Public Schools and Eaton Rapids Public Schools also play major roles, together educating over 4,300 students. Charter schools represent about 9% of the local options, providing additional choice for families in the area.

A Melting Pot of Suburban and Rural Schools

Eaton County offers a unique locale diversity, with 16 rural schools, 15 suburban schools, and 13 town-based schools. Large secondary campuses define the experience, headlined by Grand Ledge High School and its 1,650 students. The average school size of 373 ensures a vibrant, active environment for most students.

Versatile Options for Every Family

Whether you seek the bustle of a large suburban high school or the quiet of a rural elementary, Eaton County has it all. Homes in Grand Ledge or Waverly offer quick access to major campus hubs and diverse extracurricular programs. Look for properties in these districts to find an educational fit that matches your lifestyle.

School Overview

Total Schools

45

in Eaton County

Total Enrollment

16,767

students

School Districts

13

districts

Charter Schools

4

9% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary19
Middle9
High12
Other5

13 School Districts in Eaton County

Grand Ledge Public Schools

8 schools
5,065 students

Charlotte Public Schools

7 schools
2,366 students

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

6 schools
1,965 students

Olivet Community Schools

3 schools
1,265 students

Maple Valley Schools

4 schools
906 students

Potterville Public Schools

3 schools
741 students

Insight School of Michigan

1 school
652 students

Bellevue Community Schools

2 schools
590 students

LifeTech Academy

1 school
400 students

Island City Academy

1 school
201 students

45 Public Schools in Eaton County

Grand Ledge High School

Grand Ledge Public Schools

9–12High1,650 students
Waverly Senior High School

Waverly Community Schools

9–12High1,000 students
Leon W Hayes Intermediate School

Grand Ledge Public Schools

5–6Middle774 students
Kenneth T Beagle Middle School

Grand Ledge Public Schools

7–8Middle748 students
Charlotte Senior High School

Charlotte Public Schools

8–12High698 students
Insight School of Michigan

Insight School of Michigan

9–12Charter652 students
Eaton Rapids High School

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

9–12High615 students
Charlotte Upper Elementary School

Charlotte Public Schools

4–8Middle573 students
Delta Center Elementary School

Grand Ledge Public Schools

KG–4Primary501 students
Willow Ridge Elementary School

Grand Ledge Public Schools

KG–4Primary494 students
Waverly Middle School

Waverly Community Schools

5–8Middle480 students
Eaton Rapids Middle School

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

6–8Middle453 students
TC Holbrook Elementary School

Grand Ledge Public Schools

KG–4Primary449 students
Olivet High School

Olivet Community Schools

9–12High448 students
Olivet Middle School

Olivet Community Schools

4–8Middle443 students
LifeTech Academy

LifeTech Academy

KG–12Charter400 students
Maple Valley JrSr High School

Maple Valley Schools

7–12High385 students
Winans Elementary School

Waverly Community Schools

1–4Primary384 students
Greyhound Intermediate School

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

3–5Primary382 students
Elmwood Elementary School

Waverly Community Schools

1–4Primary375 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,813

State avg $7,394

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Eaton County rate?
Eaton County has a school score of 23/100, which is considered below average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Eaton County?
The high school graduation rate in Eaton County is 81.0%, which is below the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Eaton County spend per student?
Eaton County spends $6,813 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Eaton County, Michigan — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Eaton County, Michigan?

Eaton County boasts a large-scale system with 45 public schools serving 16,767 students across 13 districts. This infrastructure includes 19 elementary, nine middle, and 12 high schools, making it one of the most comprehensive in the region. The county offers a blend of traditional districts and specialized alternative or special education schools.

How do schools in Eaton County perform academically?

The county maintains a graduation rate of 81.0%, which is competitive with the Michigan state average. Educators manage a per-pupil expenditure of $6,813, prioritizing efficiency while serving a large and diverse student body. The overall school score of 48.4 reflects the challenges and successes of managing a high-volume system.

What are the major school districts in Eaton County, Michigan?

Grand Ledge Public Schools is the heavyweight district, serving 5,065 students across eight schools. Charlotte Public Schools and Eaton Rapids Public Schools also play major roles, together educating over 4,300 students. Charter schools represent about 9% of the local options, providing additional choice for families in the area.

What is the school experience like in Eaton County?

Eaton County offers a unique locale diversity, with 16 rural schools, 15 suburban schools, and 13 town-based schools. Large secondary campuses define the experience, headlined by Grand Ledge High School and its 1,650 students. The average school size of 373 ensures a vibrant, active environment for most students.

How can I find homes near good schools in Eaton County, Michigan?

Whether you seek the bustle of a large suburban high school or the quiet of a rural elementary, Eaton County has it all. Homes in Grand Ledge or Waverly offer quick access to major campus hubs and diverse extracurricular programs. Look for properties in these districts to find an educational fit that matches your lifestyle.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.