Plainwell Community Schools

Last updated
Plainwell Community Schools
Address
600 School Drive [1]
, 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 ID 2628530 [3]
Students and staff
Students2,647 (2023-2024) [3]
Teachers150.23 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024) [3]
Staff336.13 FTE (2023-2024) [3]
Student–teacher ratio17.62 (2023-2024) [3]
Other information
Website www.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]

Contents

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

SchoolAddressNotes
Schools in Plainwell Community Schools district [17] [3]
Plainwell High School 684 Starr Road, PlainwellGrades 9-12
Plainwell Middle School720 Brigham Street, PlainwellGrades 6-8
Cooper Elementary7559 North 14th Street, KalamazooGrades PreK-5
Gilkey Elementary707 South Woodhams Street, PlainwellGrades PreK-5
Starr Elementary601 School Drive, PlainwellGrades PreK-5
Renaissance High School798 E. Bridge Street, PlainwellGrades 9-12

References

  1. Plainwell Community Schools. "Plainwell Community Schools" . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  2. Plainwell Community Schools. "Staff" . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "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.