Summary:
The 49646 zip code area is home to 4 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school. While the schools serve a high-need student population, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 52.15% to 67.66%, Kalkaska High School stands out as the strongest performer, ranking in the top 314 out of 739 Michigan high schools for the 2024-2025 school year.
The schools in this area generally underperform the state averages on standardized tests, especially in English Language Arts and Math. For example, at Kalkaska Elementary, only 25.8% of 3rd graders were proficient in ELA compared to the state average of 38.9%. Additionally, all 4 schools had very high chronic absenteeism rates of around 29.5% in 2023-2024, well above the state average. This suggests that addressing attendance issues should be a top priority for the Kalkaska Public Schools district.
Per-student spending at the schools ranged from $13,501 at Kalkaska High School to $16,356 at Kalkaska Elementary, indicating the district may need to re-evaluate how resources are allocated across the different schools to ensure equity. Overall, the data suggests the schools in this area face significant challenges related to poverty, attendance, and academic performance, and targeted interventions will be crucial to improving outcomes for these students.
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