For the 2026 school year, there are 8 public schools serving 1,910 students in Kalkaska County, MI.
The top-ranked public schools in Kalkaska County, MI are Kalkaska Elementary School, Kalkaska High School and Forest Area High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Kalkaska County, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Kalkaska County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Kalkaska County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Kalkaska Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
309 N Birch St
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-8629
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-8629
Gr: PK-5 | 501 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Kalkaska High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
109 N Birch St
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-9167
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-9167
Gr: 9-12 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #33.
Forest Area High School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7661 Shippy Rd Sw
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2884
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2884
Gr: 9-12 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #44.
Crawford School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5521 M 72 E
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-2934
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-2934
Gr: K-8 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1
Rank: #55.
Fife Lake Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
108 Pierce St
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 879-3362
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 879-3362
Gr: PK-3 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #66.
Kalkaska Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1700 W Kalkaska Rd
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-4040
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-4040
Gr: 6-8 | 309 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #77.
Rapid City Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5258 River Rd
Rapid City, MI 49676
(231) 331-6121
Rapid City, MI 49676
(231) 331-6121
Gr: PK-5 | 85 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #88.
Forest Area Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7661 Shippy Rd Sw
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2884
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2884
Gr: 4-8 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Kalkaska County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
315 S Cherry St
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-9146
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-9146
Gr: 4-5 | 176 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Kalkaska Alternative Program Elementary School (Closed 2020)
Alternative School
109 N Birch Street
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-5140
Kalkaska, MI 49646
(231) 258-5140
Gr: 9-12 | 23 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
South Boardman Elementary School (Closed 2016)
Special Education School
5210 Boardman Rd Sw
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2841
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2841
Gr: PK-1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Kalkaska County, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Kalkaska County, MI include Kalkaska Elementary School, Kalkaska High School and Forest Area High School.
How many public schools are located in Kalkaska County?
8 public schools are located in Kalkaska County.
What is the racial composition of students in Kalkaska County?
Kalkaska County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American Indian), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Kalkaska County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Kalkaska County include: Forest Area High School vs. Kalkaska High School, Kalkaska High School vs. Forest Area High School, Kalkaska Elementary School vs. Fife Lake Elementary School
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