Kalkaska County Schools & Education
Kalkaska County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
31/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
72.6%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
72.6%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,800
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
31/100
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
#47
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Kalkaska County
School Verdict
Kalkaska County faces educational challenges with a school score of 31/100 and a graduation rate of 72.6%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $7,800 per pupil, Kalkaska County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Kalkaska County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 12% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 9.9 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Kalkaska County, Michigan
Intimate Learning in Northern Michigan
Kalkaska County operates 8 public schools for 1,794 students across 3 school districts. The footprint includes 4 elementary schools and 2 high schools, serving a tightly-knit student population.
High Per-Pupil Spending in a Small County
The county invests $7,800 per student, which actually exceeds the Michigan state average of $7,394. This investment supports a 72.6% graduation rate and a composite school score of 46.1.
Kalkaska and Forest Area Districts
Kalkaska Public Schools is the largest district, educating 1,379 students across 5 schools. Forest Area Community Schools manages 515 students, and there are currently no charter schools in the county.
Small-Town Feel and Rural Reach
Schools are split evenly between town and rural locales, offering an average school size of just 224 students. Kalkaska High School is the largest campus in the county, yet it remains relatively small with 449 students.
Discover a Small-School Community
If you prefer an environment where every student is known by name, Kalkaska County's small school sizes are ideal. Look for homes in the Kalkaska or Forest Area districts to enjoy a high-investment, low-enrollment educational experience.
School Overview
Total Schools
8
in Kalkaska County
Total Enrollment
1,794
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Kalkaska County
Kalkaska Public Schools
Forest Area Community Schools
Excelsior Township S/D #1
8 Public Schools in Kalkaska County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kalkaska High School | Kalkaska Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 449 |
| Birch Street Elementary School | Kalkaska Public Schools | PK–3 | Primary | 354 |
| Kalkaska Middle School | Kalkaska Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 304 |
| Forest Area Middle School | Forest Area Community Schools | 4–8 | Middle | 212 |
| Cherry Street Intermediate School | Kalkaska Public Schools | 4–5 | Primary | 176 |
| Forest Area High School | Forest Area Community Schools | 9–12 | High | 158 |
| Rapid City Elementary School | Kalkaska Public Schools | PK–5 | Primary | 96 |
| Crawford School | Excelsior Township S/D #1 | KG–8 | Primary | 45 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,800
State avg $7,394
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in Kalkaska County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in Kalkaska County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Kalkaska County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Kalkaska County?
How much does Kalkaska County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Kalkaska County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Kalkaska County, Michigan?
Kalkaska County operates 8 public schools for 1,794 students across 3 school districts. The footprint includes 4 elementary schools and 2 high schools, serving a tightly-knit student population.
How do schools in Kalkaska County perform academically?
The county invests $7,800 per student, which actually exceeds the Michigan state average of $7,394. This investment supports a 72.6% graduation rate and a composite school score of 46.1.
What are the major school districts in Kalkaska County, Michigan?
Kalkaska Public Schools is the largest district, educating 1,379 students across 5 schools. Forest Area Community Schools manages 515 students, and there are currently no charter schools in the county.
What is the school experience like in Kalkaska County?
Schools are split evenly between town and rural locales, offering an average school size of just 224 students. Kalkaska High School is the largest campus in the county, yet it remains relatively small with 449 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Kalkaska County, Michigan?
If you prefer an environment where every student is known by name, Kalkaska County's small school sizes are ideal. Look for homes in the Kalkaska or Forest Area districts to enjoy a high-investment, low-enrollment educational experience.
Counties with Similar School Profile
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.