Summary:
The city of Ida, Michigan, is served by the Ida Public School District, which includes three schools—Ida Elementary School (PK-4), Ida Middle School (5-8), and Ida High School (9-12)—together serving roughly 1,432 students in a relatively affluent community where free/reduced lunch eligibility ranges from 15% to 23%.
For parents, the standout story is Ida Middle School, which is the district’s academic powerhouse. It ranks in the 87th percentile statewide and posts the strongest test scores, especially in English Language Arts—8th graders hit 81.1% proficiency on the PSAT, a remarkable 20+ points above the state average. Its science and social studies scores are also exceptional, with 8th grade social studies proficiency (71.2%) running 21 points above the state. Ida High School excels in keeping students on track, with a 97.8% graduation rate and just a 1.0% dropout rate, though its SAT math proficiency (22%) falls below the state average (26.5%)—a notable reversal from the strong math gains seen in elementary and middle school. Ida Elementary School shows solid, improving performance, with 3rd grade math proficiency at 60.9% and ELA scores running 9-12 points above state averages.
Across the district, chronic absenteeism is low—just 6.9% at the middle school, though it rises to 15.3% at the high school. Per-student spending is highest at the middle school ($13,335), which also delivers the best outcomes, while the high school receives the least ($12,167). One concern is year-over-year volatility in high school science and social studies scores, which dropped by roughly 10 points each. Still, the district’s consistent 4-star rating and strong rankings across all three schools suggest effective teaching and strong family support, making Ida a reliable choice for families seeking above-average academics from kindergarten through graduation.
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