Coopersville Area Public School District

The Coopersville Area Public School District serves approximately 2,470 students across six schools in Ottawa County, Michigan, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools, all sharing a centralized campus. This district is a high performer, ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide with a 4-star rating, and it consistently outperforms state averages by 8 to 16 percentage points across nearly every subject and grade level.

For parents, the standout school is Coopersville Middle School, which has maintained a 4-star rating for three consecutive years and ranks in the 84th percentile. Its 8th graders are exceptional, with 74.2% proficiency in ELA and 63.6% in social studies—both far above state averages. Meanwhile, Coopersville High School is a rising star with a 97.4% graduation rate and minimal dropout rate, though its ranking has been volatile, swinging from the 60th to 85th percentile in recent years. In contrast, CAPS Academy, the alternative high school, faces significant challenges with a 56.2% chronic absenteeism rate and a 72.2% graduation rate, reflecting the higher needs of its smaller student body. Among the elementary schools, Coopersville East Elementary, Coopersville South Elementary School, and Coopersville West Early Childhood Center all exceed state proficiency rates, with West offering the lowest student-teacher ratio at 10.8:1.

A key takeaway is the district’s strong attendance management—chronic absenteeism ranges from just 14.8% to 18.5% in traditional schools, well below the state’s 27.9%—which likely fuels academic success. However, math proficiency remains a universal weak spot, especially at the secondary level, where only 30.6% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT math. The district also achieves these results efficiently, spending between $13,325 and $18,233 per student, with Coopersville High School being the most cost-effective despite its higher student-teacher ratio. Overall, this district is a model for rural Michigan, with a clear academic peak at 8th grade and excellent graduation outcomes, though parents should note the stark contrast between the traditional high school and CAPS Academy when considering options.