Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Mecosta Elementary School

Q: Is Mecosta Elementary School a good school?

Mecosta Elementary School ranks 545 th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-4

545^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Elementary Schools

Better than 63% of Michigan elementary schools

Summary

Mecosta Elementary School in Mecosta, MI, serves 256 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade as part of the Chippewa Hills School District, a mid-sized school in a rural area with nearly 60% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

One of the most impressive things about Mecosta Elementary is its success with students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The school ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide for its effectiveness with low-income students, earning a 4-star rating—far exceeding its overall state ranking of 63rd percentile. This means the school has found ways to help these students achieve at levels well above their peers in similar circumstances across Michigan. Academically, Mecosta consistently beats state averages in both English Language Arts and Math for 3rd and 4th graders. For example, 54.2% of 3rd graders were proficient in ELA compared to the state average of 38.2%. The school also spends less per student ($13,566) than nearby schools like Weidman Elementary ($16,706) and Morley Stanwood Elementary ($17,229), yet still outperforms several schools that spend more, suggesting efficient use of resources.

However, there are challenges. Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern, with 32.1% of students missing substantial school time—higher than the district average of 28.7% and the state average of 27.9%. This is likely a factor in the school's declining state ranking, which has slipped from the 90th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 63rd percentile recently. The contrast with Riverview Elementary School in the Big Rapids Public Schools district is telling—Riverview ranks in the 95th percentile with an absenteeism rate of just 16.8%. There's also a notable gender gap, with female students ranking in the 67th percentile compared to 53rd for males. Within the district, Weidman Elementary performs at the 93rd percentile while Barryton Elementary sits at the 50th, showing that individual school leadership matters significantly. Improving attendance and providing targeted support for male students appear to be the most promising paths forward.

256

Students ?

18.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,566

Per pupil spending ?

59.8%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

555 W Main St
Mecosta, MI 49332-9698

(231) 972-7477

District: Chippewa Hills School District

Students who attend Mecosta Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Chippewa Hills Middle School
High:	Chippewa Hills High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.2%

Two or more races:

4.7%

Hispanic:

4.3%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Mecosta Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 90th percentile in 2023 → 63rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (46% vs 40% meeting standards)

✓Above the Michigan median (63rd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped from its 90th-percentile peak (2023) to 63rd (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school46%

District avg52%

Michigan avg40%

545^th of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 37%▲ up 35 pts since 2016

From bottom 29% (2016) to top 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Elementary Schools in the Chippewa Hills School District

183^rd of 625Chippewa Hills School District among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	60.8	545 of 1492	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	58.4	589 of 1488	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.2	387 of 1486	74.0%	★★★★☆
2023	87.1	150 of 1470	89.8%	★★★★☆
2022	76.4	259 of 1344	80.7%	★★★★☆
2021	60.6	388 of 1153	66.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	47.0	721 of 1408	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.0	723 of 1448	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	51.4	658 of 1466	55.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	30.2	1105 of 1548	28.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	62.8	564 of 1580	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	62.4	592 of 1533	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	61.4	602 of 1563	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	72.8	393 of 1566	74.9%	★★★★☆
2011	71.0	461 of 1552	70.3%	★★★★☆
2010	77.5	229 of 1552	85.2%	★★★★☆
2009	50.8	1042 of 1589	34.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	50.5	1023 of 1577	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	49.3	1020 of 1565	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2006	63.4	633 of 1545	59.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	62.0	449 of 1343	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.0	618 of 1338	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	62.0	429 of 1342	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	88.2	89 of 1321	93.3%	★★★★★
2022	70.1	265 of 1106	76.0%	★★★★☆
2019	43.8	664 of 1171	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	62.9	538 of 1443	62.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	74.5	236 of 1352	82.5%	★★★★☆
2025	76.2	217 of 1346	83.9%	★★★★☆
2024	84.6	109 of 1381	92.1%	★★★★★
2023	94.5	25 of 1350	98.1%	★★★★★
2022	85.5	57 of 1099	94.8%	★★★★★
2021	78.0	89 of 749	88.1%	★★★★☆
2019	73.6	187 of 1134	83.5%	★★★★☆
2018	61.4	481 of 1397	65.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	50.2	645 of 1372	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.9	579 of 1366	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.9	315 of 1347	76.6%	★★★★☆
2023	78.5	235 of 1334	82.4%	★★★★☆
2022	75.7	233 of 1139	79.5%	★★★★☆
2019	40.3	727 of 1196	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	42.1	870 of 1446	39.8%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	45.3	647 of 1199	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	45.0	667 of 1206	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	64.4	388 of 1204	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	79.9	199 of 1198	83.4%	★★★★☆
2022	66.8	327 of 1102	70.3%	★★★★☆
2021	59.3	362 of 1005	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	31.0	813 of 1128	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	36.6	839 of 1253	33.0%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)83rd percentile+19 vs school

Female (2026)67th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)53rd percentile-10 vs school

White (2026)46th percentile-17 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts50%+10 vs state

Math42%~ state avg

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Mecosta Elementary School and help other families decide.

Rate Mecosta Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Mecosta Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				M-Step English Language Arts (2026)			M-Step Math (2026)			M-Step Science (2026)	M-Step Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	M-Step English Language Arts 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Mecosta Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	555 W Main St	Mecosta	49332	Mecosta County	Chippewa Hills School District	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 972-7477	256	14	18.7	59.8%	231 (90.2%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.7%)	60.8	545^th of 1492 public elementary schools	63.5%		58.4	589^th of 1488 public elementary schools	60.4%	44	54.2	46.2		41.7	41.5				$13,566	$1,790	$11,775
Barryton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	19701 30th Ave	Barryton	49305	Mecosta County	Chippewa Hills School District	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 382-5311	204	12	17.4	70.6%	180 (88.2%)	5 (2.5%)	11 (5.4%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	5 (2.5%)	46.5	753^rd of 1492 public elementary schools	49.5%		46.5	770^th of 1488 public elementary schools	48.3%	17	35.0	45.0		27.5	45.0				$14,834	$2,196	$12,638
Morley Stanwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4808 Northland Dr	Morley	49336	Mecosta County	Morley Stanwood Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 856-7684	437	28	15.7	65.2%	388 (88.8%)	3 (0.7%)	16 (3.7%)	2 (0.5%)	6 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (4.8%)	32.1	971^st of 1492 public elementary schools	34.9%		32.8	971^st of 1488 public elementary schools	34.7%		27.4	24.3	45.2	36.1	21.4	24.2	33.9	19.4	$17,229	$2,410	$14,819
Riverview Elementary School	Public	K-4	509 Willow Ave	Big Rapids	49307	Mecosta County	Big Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 796-2550	346	19	18.2	48.3%	309 (89.3%)	7 (2.0%)	9 (2.6%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.2%)	93.5	77^th of 1492 public elementary schools	94.8%		94.8	56^th of 1488 public elementary schools	96.2%	21	64.1	82.6		65.4	73.3				$14,787	$1,497	$13,290
Lakeview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-3	9497 Paden Rd	Lakeview	48850	Montcalm County	Lakeview Community Schools (Montcalm)	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 352-8021	306	22	13.9	66.0%	281 (91.8%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.6%)								(n/a)	68.0			62.7					$16,029	$1,930	$14,098
Eastwood Elementary	Public	PK-K	410 N 3rd Ave	Big Rapids	49307	Mecosta County	Big Rapids Public Schools	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(231) 598-9700	209	13	16.0	59.3%	172 (82.3%)	9 (4.3%)	9 (4.3%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (8.1%)								(n/a)									$16,503	$889	$15,615
Weidman Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-4	3311 N School Rd	Weidman	48893	Isabella County	Chippewa Hills School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(989) 644-3430	258	16	16.4	73.3%	228 (88.4%)	1 (0.4%)	14 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (5.0%)	91.5	110^th of 1492 public elementary schools	92.6%		90.5	115^th of 1488 public elementary schools	92.3%	5	67.5	61.9		85.0	65.1				$16,706	$1,989	$14,717
Brookside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	210 Escott St	Big Rapids	49307	Mecosta County	Big Rapids Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 796-8323	336	19	17.6	61.9%	274 (81.5%)	16 (4.8%)	9 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (9.5%)	48.5	722^nd of 1492 public elementary schools	51.6%		48.1	749^th of 1488 public elementary schools	49.7%	27	31.2	35.6		43.0	48.5				$16,288	$1,731	$14,558
Montabella Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1456 E North County Line Rd	Blanchard	49310	Isabella County	Montabella Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 427-5414	389	27	14.4	68.1%	335 (86.1%)	4 (1.0%)	33 (8.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.4%)	30.6	995^th of 1492 public elementary schools	33.3%		28.9	1028^th of 1488 public elementary schools	30.9%	33	32.7	19.7	37.7	45.5	16.9	24.5	35.8	13.5	$15,764	$1,325	$14,439
Beal City Elementary School	Public	K-5	3117 Elias Rd	Mount Pleasant	48858	Isabella County	Beal City Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(989) 644-2740	265	17	15.2	39.6%	244 (92.1%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.4%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.6%)	49.9	696^th of 1492 public elementary schools	53.4%		48.4	747^th of 1488 public elementary schools	49.8%	51	38.0	26.1	45.7	44.0	28.3	30.4	56.5	32.6	$15,942	$1,173	$14,769

Frequently Asked Questions about Mecosta Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Mecosta Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Mecosta Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Chippewa Hills Middle School
High : Chippewa Hills High School

Is Mecosta Elementary School a good school?

Mecosta Elementary School ranks 545^th of 1492 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Mecosta Elementary School?

Students at Mecosta Elementary School are 90% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

What district is Mecosta Elementary School in?

Chippewa Hills School District

How many students attend Mecosta Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 256 students attended Mecosta Elementary School.

Rate Mecosta Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

MIMichigan Elementary School Rankings

MIMichigan District Rankings

Schools in Mecosta, MI

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Mecosta Elementary School!

Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.