Big Rapids School District

21034 15 Mile Rd
Big Rapids, MI 49307-8845
(District boundaries shown in map)
8/
10
Top 30%

Top Rankings

Big Rapids School District 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 6 public schools serving 2,405 students in Big Rapids School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Michigan.
Public Schools in Big Rapids School District have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 52% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
6 Schools
3,470 Schools
# Students
2,405 Students
1,369,382 Students
# Teachers
120 Teachers
82,971 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
20:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Big Rapids School District, 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.
This School District
State Average (MI)
#197 out of 862 school districts
(Top 30%)
39%
35%
53%
45%
39%
38%
68%
81%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.24
0.57
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
3%
9%
% Black
3%
18%
% White
87%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
6%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $13,250 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,604. The school district revenue/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,892 is less than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (MI)
Total Revenue
$32 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$38 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$13,250
$18,604
Spending / Student
$15,892
$17,782

Best Big Rapids School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Riverview Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
509 Willow Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-2550
Gr: K-4 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #22.
Big Rapids High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
21175 15 Mile Rd
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-7651
Gr: 9-12 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
Brookside Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
210 Escott St
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-8323
Gr: PK-4 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #44.
Big Rapids Middle School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
500 N Warren Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-9965
Gr: 5-8 | 644 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #55.
Big Rapids Virtual School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
14980 215th Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-3489
Gr: K-12 | 115 students Student-teacher ratio: 115:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
410 N 3rd Ave
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 598-9700
Gr: PK-K | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Big Rapids School District?
Big Rapids School District manages 6 public schools serving 2,405 students.
What is the rank of Big Rapids School District?
Big Rapids School District is ranked #225 out of 845 school districts in Michigan (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Michigan school districts for: Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Big Rapids School District?
87% of Big Rapids School District students are White, 6% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Big Rapids School District?
Big Rapids School District has a student/teacher ratio of 20:1, which is higher than the Michigan state average of 17:1.
What is Big Rapids School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,892 is less than the state median of $17,782. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 6 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,405 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 13%
  • : 68% (Btm 50% in MI)
  • : Top 30%
  • : 39% (Top 30%)
  • : 53% (Top 30%)
  • : 39% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education

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