Plainwell Community Schools

Plainwell Community Schools
Address
600 School Drive[1]
Plainwell
, Allegan, Michigan, 49080
United States
District information
GradesPre-Kindergarten-12
SuperintendentMatthew Montange[2]
Schools6[3]
Budget$39,137,000 2021-2022 expenditures[3]
NCES District ID2628530[3]
Students and staff
Students2,634 (2024-2025)[3]
Teachers143.39 (on an FTE basis) (2024-2025)[3]
Staff350.17 FTE (2024-2025)[3]
Student–teacher ratio18.37 (2024-2025)[3]
Other information
Websitewww.plainwellschools.org

Plainwell Community Schools is a public school district in West Michigan. In Allegan County, it serves Plainwell and parts of the townships of Gun Plain, Martin, and Otsego.[4] In Kalamazoo County, it serves parts of Alamao Township, Cooper Township, and Richland Township.[5] In Barry County, it serves parts of Orangeville Township and Prairieville Township.[6]

History

The first school in the district boundaries was a red one-room schoolhouse built in 1843. A brick public school opened in Plainwell village in fall 1870, which housed several graded classrooms. The high school had been established the year prior.[7]

A new high school, designed by Kalamazoo architect Ernest Batterson, opened in 1922.[8]

A junior high school was built on Starr Road in 1955.[9] After an expansion, it became Plainwell High School in fall 1961.[10][11] Extensive additions were built around 1972.[12] Plainwell Middle School also opened in 1972. Its architect was Daverman Associates of Grand Rapids.[13]

Additions and renovations to district buildings, including a new science wing at the high school, were completed in 2001.[14] After the renovation, the school's 304-seat auditorium had only 212 seats, causing concern for the performing arts teachers.[15] A new auditorium was built in 2010 that has 750 seats.[16]

Schools

School Address Notes
Schools in Plainwell Community Schools district[17][3]
Plainwell High School 684 Starr Road, Plainwell Grades 9-12
Plainwell Middle School 720 Brigham Street, Plainwell Grades 6-8
Cooper Elementary 7559 North 14th Street, Kalamazoo Grades PreK-5
Gilkey Elementary 707 South Woodhams Street, Plainwell Grades PreK-5
Starr Elementary 601 School Drive, Plainwell Grades PreK-5
Renaissance High School 798 E. Bridge Street, Plainwell Grades 9-12

References

  1. ^ Plainwell Community Schools. "Plainwell Community Schools". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  2. ^ Plainwell Community Schools. "Staff". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Plainwell Community Schools". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Allegan County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  5. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Kalamazoo County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  6. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Barry County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  7. ^ Hill, Jennie K. History of Plainwell Graded Schools (From Plainwell Scholastic Index, 1905 High School yearbook). p. 10.
  8. ^ "Plainwell's new $175,000 high school designed and built by Kalamazoo firms". Kalamazoo Gazette. January 29, 1922. p. 26.
  9. ^ unknown. "1950-1959 (Photo of Plainwell High School history book. Facebook post.)". Facebook. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  10. ^ Editorial staff of Plainwell High School yearbook. 1962 Troan (Plainwell High School Yearbook 1962. p. 4.
  11. ^ "Plainwell H.S. expects 700 in $1 million unit". Kalamazoo Gazette. August 6, 1961. p. 36.
  12. ^ Editorial staff of Plainwell High School yearbook. Troan 1972 (Painwell High School yearbook 1972). p. 6.
  13. ^ "Plainwell Middle School". Kalamazoo Gazette. December 13, 1970. p. B3.
  14. ^ Sturdevant, Sharon (September 10, 2001). "Plainwell offers chance to view renovated schools". The Kalamazoo Gazette. p. Hometown Gazette North 6.
  15. ^ Sturdevant, Sharon (October 29, 2001). "Smaller auditorium raises some concerns". Kalamazoo Gazette. p. 3.
  16. ^ Mack, Julie (September 5, 2010). "Poor economy boosts school projects". Kalamazoo Gazette. p. A1.
  17. ^ Plainwell Community Schools. "Our Schools menu". Retrieved August 21, 2025.
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