Summary:
Zip code 49307, serving the Big Rapids, Michigan area, is home to Big Rapids High School, Big Rapids Middle School, three elementary schools, and three alternative schools, totaling 8 schools that serve approximately 2,643 students across the Big Rapids Public Schools district, Mecosta-Osceola Independent School District (Isd), and Crossroads Charter Academy.
For parents, the standout choice is Riverview Elementary School, which earns 5-star ratings and ranks in the top 5% statewide. Its 4th-grade ELA proficiency (82.6%) is more than double the state average, and it achieves this while serving a population where nearly half of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. In contrast, Brookside Elementary School serves a similar demographic but posts a 4th-grade ELA proficiency of just 35.6%, a 47-point gap, despite spending $1,500 more per student. At the secondary level, Big Rapids High School performs above state averages in reading (56.9% SAT EBRW) and science (44.3%), with a graduation rate of 82.9%, while Big Rapids Middle School shows strong 8th-grade ELA (72.6%) but struggles with math (29.9% proficiency).
Families should be aware of significant challenges in alternative options. Big Rapids Virtual School has a 25.5% graduation rate, a 42.5% dropout rate, and a 115:1 student-teacher ratio, while MecostaOsceola Education Center reports a 0% graduation rate despite very high per-student spending. Crossroads Charter Academy offers a brighter alternative picture with an 80.9% graduation rate and a low 4.7% dropout rate at the lowest per-student cost ($11,255). Chronic absenteeism is a hidden issue, affecting over 34% of students at Eastwood Elementary and 38.6% at the education center, while Riverview keeps it at just 16.8%. Overall, math proficiency lags across all grade levels, but science is a relative strength, and the dramatic disparities between schools serving similar populations suggest that replicating Riverview's practices could benefit the entire district.
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