Summary:
Zip code 49316 in Caledonia, Michigan, is served by 8 schools—5 elementary, 2 middle, and 1 high school—spanning two districts: the top-ranked Caledonia Community Schools and Kentwood Public Schools, with a total enrollment of about 4,768 students.
For parents, the standout story here is the exceptional academic performance across most Caledonia schools. Dutton Elementary School is the rising star, jumping to the 98th percentile statewide with 3rd-grade math proficiency at 87.9%—more than double the state average. Caledonia Elementary School and Emmons Lake Elementary School also post math scores in the 75-86% range, roughly double state averages. At the secondary level, Caledonia High School boasts a 91.8% graduation rate and top-10% statewide ranking, while Duncan Lake Middle School excels in 8th-grade social studies at 75.6% proficiency versus 50.3% statewide. The lone Kentwood school, Explorer Elementary, serves a higher-poverty population (55.76% free/reduced lunch) but still outperforms its district average by 10-25 points, earning 4 stars despite its district's 2-star rating.
The most notable concern is the chronic absenteeism paradox at Caledonia High School, where 46.1% of students are chronically absent—nearly double the district average—yet the school maintains strong academics and graduation rates. Paris Ridge Elementary shows a declining trend, dropping 84 ranking positions, while Kraft Meadows Intermediate School and Emmons Lake have the lowest absenteeism at 7.4%. Spending varies from $14,535 per student at Caledonia High to $16,495 at Dutton Elementary, with no clear correlation to outcomes—Explorer spends nearly $16,412 yet achieves lower scores, suggesting demographic factors and resource allocation matter more than raw spending. Overall, this zip code is an educational oasis, with most schools performing 20-45 points above state averages in core subjects.
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