Top Rankings
Big Rapids Public Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public elementary schools serving 1,414 students in Big Rapids Public Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Big Rapids Public Schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 51% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
6 Schools
2,541 Schools
# Students
2,376 Students
953,595 Students
# Teachers
118 Teachers
58,878 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Big Rapids Public Schools, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 845 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 68% has decreased from 70-74% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#197 out of 862 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
53%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
38%
Graduation Rate
68%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.22
0.57
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
3%
18%
% White
88%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $13,412 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,086 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$32 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$38 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,412
$18,510
Spending / Student
$16,086
$17,693
Best Big Rapids Public Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Riverview Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
509 Willow Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-2550
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-2550
Gr: K-4 | 321 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Brookside Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
210 Escott St
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-8323
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-8323
Gr: PK-4 | 342 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #33.
Big Rapids Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 N Warren Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-9965
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-9965
Gr: 5-8 | 618 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #44.
Big Rapids Virtual School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
14980 215th Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-3489
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-3489
Gr: K-12 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 67:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Recent Articles
Preventing Suicide in Schools: 2026 Guide for Educators
Learn updated 2026 strategies for preventing suicide in schools, including warning signs, intervention plans, and school-wide mental health support.
The Impact of Social Media on Students (2026 Update)
Explore the impact of social media on students in 2026, including academic, mental health, and safety insights for parents and educators.
Building a Summer Reading Plan That Keeps Kids Engaged
Learn how to build a summer reading plan that keeps kids engaged, motivated, and improving literacy skills throughout the break.
