Van Buren County Schools & Education
Van Buren County, Michigan
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
16/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
70.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
70.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 82.5%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,677
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,394
School Score
16/100
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
#78
of 83 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Van Buren County
School Verdict
Van Buren County faces educational challenges with a school score of 16/100 and a graduation rate of 70.9%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,677 per pupil, Van Buren County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Van Buren County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 55% below the Michigan average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 11.6 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 10% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Van Buren County, Michigan
Large Educational Infrastructure of 45 Schools
Van Buren County serves 14,771 students across 45 public schools and 13 districts. This diverse system includes 17 elementary and 16 high schools, providing comprehensive coverage for a significant student population.
Graduation Rates Facing Challenges
The graduation rate in Van Buren County is 70.9%, which is lower than both the state average of 82.5% and the national 87% benchmark. Spending per pupil is $6,677, representing a lower investment level compared to state and national averages.
Mattawan Consolidated Leads the County
Mattawan Consolidated School is the largest district, serving 3,610 students across five campuses. The county also features unique options like the Michigan Online School, a charter institution that serves 925 students statewide.
Predominantly Rural with Notable Large Schools
While 29 schools are in rural settings, Mattawan High School is a major hub with 1,171 students. The average school size is 336 students, though the county's specialized and online schools offer varying educational experiences.
Explore Homes in Growing Districts
When researching homes in Van Buren County, district choice is essential for long-term satisfaction. Exploring high-demand areas like Mattawan can provide your family with access to the county's largest and most robust educational facilities.
School Overview
Total Schools
45
in Van Buren County
Total Enrollment
14,771
students
School Districts
13
districts
Charter Schools
1
2% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
13 School Districts in Van Buren County
Mattawan Consolidated School
Paw Paw Public School District
Hartford Public Schools
Bloomingdale Public School District
Lawton Community School District
Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren)
Michigan Online School
Decatur Public Schools
Gobles Public School District
Lawrence Public Schools
45 Public Schools in Van Buren County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mattawan High School | Mattawan Consolidated School | 7–12 | High | 1,171 |
| Michigan Online School | Michigan Online School | KG–12 | Charter | 925 |
| Mattawan Middle School | Mattawan Consolidated School | 6–8 | Middle | 817 |
| Mattawan Later Elem School | Mattawan Consolidated School | 3–5 | Primary | 782 |
| Mattawan Early Elem School | Mattawan Consolidated School | PK–2 | Primary | 744 |
| Paw Paw High School | Paw Paw Public School District | 9–12 | High | 692 |
| Bloomingdale Middle and High School | Bloomingdale Public School District | 6–12 | High | 569 |
| South Haven High School | South Haven Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 569 |
| Redwood Elementary | Hartford Public Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 567 |
| Paw Paw Middle School | Paw Paw Public School District | 6–8 | Middle | 475 |
| Paw Paw Early Elementary School | Paw Paw Public School District | PK–2 | Primary | 472 |
| Paw Paw Later Elementary | Paw Paw Public School District | 3–5 | Primary | 462 |
| Decatur Jr Sr High School | Decatur Public Schools | 6–12 | High | 405 |
| Hartford High School | Hartford Public Schools | 9–12 | High | 404 |
| Lawton Elementary School | Lawton Community School District | PK–4 | Primary | 401 |
| Davis Elementary School | Decatur Public Schools | KG–5 | Primary | 380 |
| Gobles Elementary School | Gobles Public School District | PK–5 | Primary | 359 |
| South Walnut Elementary School | Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren) | PK–4 | Primary | 335 |
| Gobles High School | Gobles Public School District | 6–12 | High | 330 |
| Bloomingdale Elementary School | Bloomingdale Public School District | KG–5 | Primary | 311 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,677
State avg $7,394
Find Homes Near Top Schools
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Van Buren County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Van Buren County?
How much does Van Buren County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Van Buren County, Michigan — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Van Buren County, Michigan?
Van Buren County serves 14,771 students across 45 public schools and 13 districts. This diverse system includes 17 elementary and 16 high schools, providing comprehensive coverage for a significant student population.
How do schools in Van Buren County perform academically?
The graduation rate in Van Buren County is 70.9%, which is lower than both the state average of 82.5% and the national 87% benchmark. Spending per pupil is $6,677, representing a lower investment level compared to state and national averages.
What are the major school districts in Van Buren County, Michigan?
Mattawan Consolidated School is the largest district, serving 3,610 students across five campuses. The county also features unique options like the Michigan Online School, a charter institution that serves 925 students statewide.
What is the school experience like in Van Buren County?
While 29 schools are in rural settings, Mattawan High School is a major hub with 1,171 students. The average school size is 336 students, though the county's specialized and online schools offer varying educational experiences.
How can I find homes near good schools in Van Buren County, Michigan?
When researching homes in Van Buren County, district choice is essential for long-term satisfaction. Exploring high-demand areas like Mattawan can provide your family with access to the county's largest and most robust educational facilities.
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.