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Kalkaska High School

Q: Is Kalkaska High School a good school?

Kalkaska High School ranks 361 st of 800 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

361^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 800 Michigan High Schools

Better than 55% of Michigan high schools

Summary

Kalkaska High School in Kalkaska, MI, serves 439 students in grades 9-12 and is part of the Kalkaska Public Schools district, which sits in a rural area where nearly half of the student body (47.4%) qualifies for free or reduced lunch.

The most encouraging news for parents is the school's dramatic improvement in keeping students on track to graduate. After a low of 72.2% in 2020-2021, the graduation rate has climbed steadily to 91.8% in 2024-2025—now well above the state average of 84.0%. The dropout rate has also fallen from 11.8% to 5.4%, which is below the state average. However, this positive trend comes with a puzzling twist: while more students are graduating, proficiency scores on state tests dropped sharply in the most recent year. For example, science proficiency fell from 44.8% to 27.9%, and SAT reading/writing scores dropped from 48.9% to 37.7%. This suggests the school may be prioritizing credit recovery and graduation support, but the most recent 11th-grade cohort struggled academically compared to previous classes.

Looking at specific subjects, Kalkaska's 11th graders posted proficiency rates of 27.9% in science and 35.6% in social studies—scores that beat Traverse City High School (22.9% in both subjects) but trail Central High School (37.8% science, 42.7% social studies). A nearby comparison worth noting: Mancelona High School, just 12.4 miles away, serves an even higher percentage of low-income students (73.7%) yet outperformed Kalkaska in nearly every subject, including 52.6% proficiency in both science and social studies. Chronic absenteeism remains a challenge at 27.7%—about the state average but more than double the rate at Elk Rapids High School (12.1%). Additionally, female students consistently outperform male students, with girls earning 3-4 star ratings in recent years compared to boys' 2-star ratings.

439

Students ?

18.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

47.4%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

109 N Birch St
Kalkaska, MI 49646-7931

(231) 258-9167

District: Kalkaska Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.9%

Hispanic:

4.3%

Two or more races:

2.3%

See top rated Michigan high schools

Compare Kalkaska High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 72nd percentile in 2016 → 55th in 2026

Strengths

✓92% graduate in 4 years — above the Michigan average (84%)

✓Above the Michigan median (55th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 17 percentile points since 2016

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

!Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores 14 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg40%

Michigan avg43%

361^st of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 45%▼ down 17 pts since 2016

From top 28% (2016) to top 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

339^th of 625Kalkaska Public Schools 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	50.5	361 of 800	54.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.9	314 of 739	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.6	250 of 743	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.2	233 of 735	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	49.6	291 of 531	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	49.8	250 of 561	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	49.7	331 of 666	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.2	322 of 824	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	75.2	160 of 835	80.8%	★★★★☆
2016	69.7	237 of 852	72.2%	★★★★☆
2015	71.2	236 of 832	71.6%	★★★★☆
2014	69.2	235 of 799	70.6%	★★★★☆
2013	60.5	328 of 805	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	62.7	306 of 773	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	68.2	304 of 784	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	72.5	238 of 765	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2009	68.9	283 of 754	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	55.6	423 of 750	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2007	72.2	222 of 767	71.1%	★★★★☆
2006	56.8	374 of 705	47.0%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	50.3	313 of 686	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.1	307 of 629	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.9	157 of 619	74.6%	★★★★☆
2023	62.6	198 of 611	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.1	180 of 416	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	34.0	315 of 462	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	41.2	339 of 554	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.7	380 of 710	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	47.9	372 of 719	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	66.9	179 of 635	71.8%	★★★★☆
2024	66.7	173 of 654	73.5%	★★★★☆
2023	60.0	216 of 614	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.0	168 of 369	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	74.5	75 of 417	82.0%	★★★★☆
2019	49.3	274 of 532	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	65.9	213 of 755	71.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	42.8	385 of 693	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.0	296 of 628	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.5	350 of 633	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	54.8	246 of 611	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	26.4	359 of 440	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	53.8	181 of 472	61.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	45.9	292 of 543	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	65.2	239 of 707	66.2%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	34.7	186 of 315	41.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	37.9	409 of 671	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.8	311 of 639	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	51.4	285 of 638	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.6	320 of 647	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	36.3	339 of 492	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.0	271 of 516	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.2	355 of 582	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.7	383 of 708	45.9%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Female (2026)54th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)48th percentile-7 vs school

Male (2026)44th percentile-10 vs school

Special Education (2018)41st percentile-20 vs school

White (2026)39th percentile-16 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts64%+5 vs state

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing38%-14 vs state

Mathematics36%+4 vs state

Social Studies36%-8 vs state

Science28%-7 vs state

5.0

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What people are saying

by a parent on FaceBook
Monday, September 12, 2011

After moving to Kalkaska in November 2010, I have been very happy with the interaction between Teachers & School and home. Thanks to all the teachers and staff who go above and beyond. Close Quote

Schools Near Kalkaska High School

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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)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)			PSAT Mathematics (2026)			SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	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	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Kalkaska High School	Public	9-12	109 N Birch St	Kalkaska	49646	Kalkaska County	Kalkaska Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 258-9167	439	23	18.9	47.4%	399 (90.9%)	8 (1.8%)	19 (4.3%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.3%)	50.5	361^st of 800 public high schools	54.9%		55.9	314^th of 739 public high schools	57.5%	47		69.9	58.1		38.6	34.4	37.7	24.5						27.9		35.6	$00	$00	$00
Forest Area High School	Public	9-12	7661 Shippy Rd SW	Fife Lake	49633	Kalkaska County	Forest Area Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 369-2884	156	10	15.1	44.9%	150 (96.2%)	3 (1.9%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	34.9	498^th of 800 public high schools	37.8%		24.6	544^th of 739 public high schools	26.4%	46		32.4	44.1		18.9	14.7	40.5	21.6						35.9		44.7	$15,266	$979	$14,287
Mancelona High School	Public	9-12	9300 W Limits St	Mancelona	49659	Antrim County	Mancelona Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 587-8551	243	15	16.3	73.7%	228 (93.8%)	2 (0.8%)	10 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	63.9	232^nd of 800 public high schools	71.0%		25.9	532^nd of 739 public high schools	28.0%	300		67.3	55.2		34.7	29.3	52.6	28.1						52.6		52.6	$15,808	$1,173	$14,635
Elk Rapids High School	Public	9-12	308 Meguzee Pt	Elk Rapids	49629	Antrim County	Elk Rapids Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 264-8108	360	18	20.3	18.9%	329 (91.4%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.9%)	1 (0.3%)	8 (2.2%)	2 (0.6%)	6 (1.7%)	84	89^th of 800 public high schools	88.9%		93.5	40^th of 739 public high schools	94.6%	49		78.0	71.4		38.5	36.3	73.2	56.1						63.3		63.3	$14,960	$506	$14,454
Sunrise Academy	Public	9-12	308 Meguzee Pt	Elk Rapids	49629	Antrim County	Elk Rapids Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 264-8108	21	1	15.5	47.6%	17 (81.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (4.8%)								(n/a)																	$10,005	$360	$9,645
Bellaire MiddleHigh School	Public	6-12	205 Victory Ln	Bellaire	49615	Antrim County	Bellaire Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 533-8015	140	11	12.2	51.4%	129 (92.1%)	1 (0.7%)	7 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.4%)	67.1	208^th of 800 public high schools	74.0%		52.2	346^th of 739 public high schools	53.2%	138	50.0	82.6	56.5	20.0	26.1	26.1	70.6	465.3	68.4	57.9	52.6	21.1	40.0	52.9	35.0	52.9	$24,581	$1,214	$23,368
Traverse City High School	Public	9-12	3962 3 Mile Rd N	Traverse City	49686	Grand Traverse County	Traverse City Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 933-5860	171	10	16.3	59.6%	139 (81.3%)	10 (5.8%)	11 (6.4%)	1 (0.6%)	9 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	23.4	588^th of 800 public high schools	26.5%		30.6	503^rd of 739 public high schools	31.9%	85							36.4	406.1						22.9		22.9	$16,076	$701	$15,376
North EdCareer Technical	Public	11-12	880 Parsons Rd	Traverse City	49686	Grand Traverse County	Northwest Education Services	No	No	No	No	(231) 922-6260	0	38	.0	—	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Central High School	Public	8-12	1150 Milliken Dr	Traverse City	49686	Grand Traverse County	Traverse City Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 933-6500	1,326	56	23.6	20.3%	1,191 (89.8%)	38 (2.9%)	41 (3.1%)	33 (2.5%)	22 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	83	96^th of 800 public high schools	88.0%		70.9	178^th of 739 public high schools	75.9%	82		78.3	81.4		51.9	59.1	68.9	51.9						37.8		42.7	$13,463	$701	$12,763

Frequently Asked Questions about Kalkaska High School

Is Kalkaska High School a good school?

Kalkaska High School ranks 361^st of 800 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Kalkaska High School?

Kalkaska High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Kalkaska Elementary School
Elementary : Rapid City Elementary School
Middle : Kalkaska Middle School

What district is Kalkaska High School in?

Kalkaska Public Schools

How many students attend Kalkaska High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 439 students attended Kalkaska High School.

What is the racial makeup of Kalkaska High School?

Students at Kalkaska High School are 91% White, 4% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races, 2% African American.

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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.