Tri County Area Schools

Last updated

Tri County Area Schools
Address
94 Cherry Street [1]
Sand Lake
, Kent County , Michigan , 49343
United States
District information
GradesPre-Kindergarten-12
SuperintendentRyan J. Biller [2]
Schools3 [3]
Budget$36,764,000 2021-2022 expenditures [3]
NCES District ID 2633930 [3]
Students and staff
Students1,685 (2023-2024) [3]
Teachers100.9 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024) [3]
Staff246.37 FTE (2023-2024) [3]
Student–teacher ratio16.7 (2023-2024) [3]
Other information
Website www.tricountyschools.com

Tri County Area Schools is a public school district in West Michigan. In Kent County, it serves Sand Lake and parts of the townships of Nelson and Solon. [4] In Montcalm County it serves Howard City, Pierson, Pierson Township and Reynolds Township and parts of the townships of Maple Valley and Winfield. [5] In Newaygo County, it serves parts of the townships of Croton and Ensley. [6]

Contents

History

Sand Lake and Howard City were in separate districts prior to 1962. The state mandated curriculum improvements that the small Sand Lake High School would find difficult to meet. The Howard City district was in a similar situation. [7]

Sand Lake had a K-12 school district within a single building built in 1924. It was the third school in Sand Lake, the first being built in 1872 and the second in 1907. By 1957, the 1924 brick school was so overcrowded that classes were held in other locations around town, and the village auditorium was used for gym class. [8]

Howard City High School, later known as the Edgerton Building, was located on the corner of Grant and Edgerton Streets and contained all grades. [9] The first school in Howard City was established in 1869. The Edgerton Building was built around 1937, (replacing the school next door built around 1883) funded in part by the Public Works Administration. [10] [11]

The districts' solution was to combine resources by consolidating. Tri County Area Schools came into existence on April 3, 1962, the day members of those communities voted in favor of consolidating their schools; 415 voted, with 366 favoring consolidation. The consolidated schools began operation in fall 1962. The Howard City High School became the Tri County High School, and the Sand Lake High School became a junior high school. [7]

Tri County Middle School was built as the district's new high school in 1964. Wold & Bowers Architects of Grand Rapids designed the building. [12] It was replaced by the current high school in 1993. Greiner, Inc. was the architect. [13]

The current Tri County Elementary opened in fall 2023 on the campus of the high school and middle school. [14]

Schools

Schools in Tri County Area Schools district [15] [3]
SchoolAddressNotes
Tri County High School21338 Kendaville Rd., Howard CityGrades 9–12. Built 1993. [13]
Tri County Middle School21350 Kendaville Rd., Howard CityGrades 6–8. Built 1964. [12]
Tri County Elementary School21502 Kendaville Rd., Howard CityGrades K–5. Built 2023. [14]
McNaughton Learning Center415 S.Cedar Street, Howard CityPreschool and alternative education programs housed in former McNaughton Elementary.


References

  1. ↑ Tri County Area Public Schools. "Tri County Area Public Schools" . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  2. ↑ South Haven Public Schools. "Administration" . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Tri County Area Schools". National Center for Education Statistics . Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Kent County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Montcalm County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  6. ↑ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Newaygo County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Tri County Area Schools. "District History" . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  8. ↑ The Wildcat 1957 (Sand Lake High School 1957 yearbook). pp. 4–8.
  9. ↑ "Google Street View:419 E Edgerton St, Howard City, MI" (Map). Google Maps . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  10. ↑ Editorial staff of Howard City High School yearbook. Rene: Howard City Schools Class of Nineteen Twenty Three (Howard City High School 1923 yearbook). p. 8.
  11. ↑ Editorial staff of Tri County High School yearbook. Viking 1964 (Tri County 1964 High School). p. 8.
  12. 1 2 "Construction starts on new Tri-County High School". Grand Rapids Press. May 10, 1964. p. 11.
  13. 1 2 "Advertisement for bids". Grand Rapids Press. April 24, 1993. p. 39.
  14. 1 2 Tri County Area Schools. "Welcome to Tri County Elementary!" . Retrieved November 6, 2025.
  15. ↑ Tri County Area Schools. "Schools menu" . Retrieved November 6, 2025.


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