Ottawa County Schools & Education
Ottawa County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
61/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.8%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.8%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,746
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
61/100
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
#7
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Ottawa County
School Verdict
Ottawa County performs at an average level with a school score of 61/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.8%.
Funding Context
At $7,746 per pupil, Ottawa County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Ottawa County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 73% above the Michigan average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 9.3 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Ottawa County, Michigan
A Powerhouse Education System of 100+ Schools
Ottawa County maintains an expansive network of 101 public schools, including 56 elementary and 22 high schools. This massive infrastructure serves 43,696 students across 17 different districts. It is one of the most comprehensive and diverse educational landscapes in the state of Michigan.
Exceptional Graduation and High Academic Scores
The county boasts a 91.8% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 82.5% and the national 87.0%. With per-pupil spending of $7,746 and a school score of 56.1, the county is a clear leader in academic performance. These results reflect a highly successful and well-funded public education environment.
Hudsonville and West Ottawa Lead the Way
The Hudsonville and West Ottawa districts are the county's largest, serving over 6,500 students each. Ten charter schools also operate here, providing diverse educational choices for roughly 10% of the school population. The sheer number of districts ensures local control and specialized programming for residents.
Suburban Success with Diverse Learning Environments
Over 60% of schools are in suburban locales, though the county also features 20 rural and 10 city campuses. Average school size is 437 students, but West Ottawa High is a major hub with over 2,100 students. This variety allows families to choose between massive, resource-rich high schools and smaller rural elementary programs.
Join One of Michigan's Top School Counties
For families where school quality is the primary factor, Ottawa County is a top-tier destination in West Michigan. Explore homes in Hudsonville, Jenison, or Grand Haven to tap into these high-performing districts. The combination of exceptional graduation rates and suburban amenities makes this a prime real estate market.
School Overview
Total Schools
101
in Ottawa County
Total Enrollment
43,696
students
School Districts
17
districts
Charter Schools
10
10% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
17 School Districts in Ottawa County
Hudsonville Public School District
West Ottawa Public School District
Zeeland Public Schools
Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Jenison Public Schools
Holland City School District
Allendale Public Schools
Coopersville Area Public School District
Spring Lake Public Schools
Black River Public School
101 Public Schools in Ottawa County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Ottawa High School Campus | West Ottawa Public School District | 9–12 | High | 2,196 |
| Grand Haven High School | Grand Haven Area Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 1,732 |
| Hudsonville High School | Hudsonville Public School District | 10–12 | High | 1,513 |
| Jenison High School | Jenison Public Schools | 8–12 | High | 1,495 |
| Zeeland West High School | Zeeland Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 976 |
| Zeeland East High School | Zeeland Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 973 |
| Holland High School | Holland City School District | 8–12 | High | 962 |
| Coopersville High School | Coopersville Area Public School District | 9–12 | High | 888 |
| Baldwin Street Middle School | Hudsonville Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 844 |
| Harbor Lights Middle School | West Ottawa Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 817 |
| Spring Lake High School | Spring Lake Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 788 |
| Allendale High School | Allendale Public Schools | 8–12 | High | 775 |
| White Pines Intermediate School | Grand Haven Area Public Schools | 5–8 | Middle | 762 |
| Lakeshore Middle School | Grand Haven Area Public Schools | 7–8 | Middle | 760 |
| Jenison Junior High School | Jenison Public Schools | 7–8 | Middle | 752 |
| Cityside Middle School | Zeeland Public Schools | 6–8 | Middle | 736 |
| Riley Street Middle School | Hudsonville Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 687 |
| Eagle Crest Charter Academy | Eagle Crest Charter Academy | KG–8 | Charter | 649 |
| Macatawa Bay Middle School | West Ottawa Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 646 |
| Coopersville Middle School | Coopersville Area Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 610 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,746
State avg $7,394
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Ottawa County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Ottawa County?
How much does Ottawa County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Ottawa County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Ottawa County, Michigan?
Ottawa County maintains an expansive network of 101 public schools, including 56 elementary and 22 high schools. This massive infrastructure serves 43,696 students across 17 different districts. It is one of the most comprehensive and diverse educational landscapes in the state of Michigan.
How do schools in Ottawa County perform academically?
The county boasts a 91.8% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 82.5% and the national 87.0%. With per-pupil spending of $7,746 and a school score of 56.1, the county is a clear leader in academic performance. These results reflect a highly successful and well-funded public education environment.
What are the major school districts in Ottawa County, Michigan?
The Hudsonville and West Ottawa districts are the county's largest, serving over 6,500 students each. Ten charter schools also operate here, providing diverse educational choices for roughly 10% of the school population. The sheer number of districts ensures local control and specialized programming for residents.
What is the school experience like in Ottawa County?
Over 60% of schools are in suburban locales, though the county also features 20 rural and 10 city campuses. Average school size is 437 students, but West Ottawa High is a major hub with over 2,100 students. This variety allows families to choose between massive, resource-rich high schools and smaller rural elementary programs.
How can I find homes near good schools in Ottawa County, Michigan?
For families where school quality is the primary factor, Ottawa County is a top-tier destination in West Michigan. Explore homes in Hudsonville, Jenison, or Grand Haven to tap into these high-performing districts. The combination of exceptional graduation rates and suburban amenities makes this a prime real estate market.
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.