Home > Michigan > Kent County

Sparta Area Schools

Item: Sparta Area Schools
Rating: 7
Author: Public School Review

465 S Union St
Sparta, MI 49345-1503

( shown in map)

Top 50%

Tel: (616) 887-8253

www.spartaschools.org

Top Rankings

Sparta Area Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:

Overview

This School District

This State (MI)

# Schools

4 Schools

2,534 Schools

# Students

2,353 Students

955,941 Students

# Teachers

139 Teachers

59,685 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

17:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
Kind	197	118
1	187	111
2	171	115
3	160	117
4	192	115
5	165	116
6	164	116
7	179	103
8	160	102

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Sparta Area Schools, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 844 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 86% has increased from 85-89% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (MI)

#263 out of 862 school districts
(Top 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools
2023	#263
2022	#304
2021	#301
2019	#169
2018	#193
2017	#195
2016	#161
2015	#276
2014	#339
2013	#326
2012	#320
2011	#301
2010	#293

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

38%

35%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	38%	35%
2022	36%	34%
2021	33%	36%
2019	48%	40%
2018	40%	37%
2017	44%	39%
2016	47%	38%
2015	42%	37%
2014	39%	41%
2013	37%	41%
2012	32%	37%
2011	82%	80%
2010	82%	78%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

47%

45%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2022	47%	45%
2021	47%	48%
2019	56%	49%
2018	40%	43%
2017	56%	49%
2016	57%	50%
2015	51%	49%
2014	68%	67%
2013	67%	65%
2012	66%	64%
2011	84%	80%
2010	83%	82%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

44%

38%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2022	44%	38%
2021	21%	23%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

86%

81.8%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	86%	81%
2022	87%	81%
2021	87%	84%
2020	87%	86%
2019	90%	85%
2018	87%	85%
2017	87%	85%
2016	91%	85%
2015	87%	85%
2014	83%	84%
2013	89%	84%
2012	84%	82%
2011	86%	81%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(2022-23)

10%

33.3%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	10%	33.3%
2022	11%	41.4%
2021	6.1%	21.3%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.33

0.58

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	0.29	0.55
2022	0.30	0.55
2021	0.30	0.54
2020	0.29	0.53
2019	0.29	0.53
2018	0.32	0.53
2017	0.32	0.52
2016	0.32	0.50
2015	0.36	0.50
2014	0.29	0.50
2013	0.26	0.49
2012	0.27	0.49
2011	0.28	0.47
2010	0.23	0.46
2009	0.24	0.46
2008	0.25	0.46
2007	0.25	0.46
2006	0.19	0.44
2005	0.20	0.43
2004	0.19	0.43
2003	0.20	0.44
2002	0.10	0.43
2001	0.09	0.42
2000	0.06	0.40
1999	0.06	0.40
1998	0.03	0.40
1997	0.04	0.39
1996	0.06	0.39
1995	0.04	0.38
1994	0.04	0.37
1993	0.03	0.37
1992	0.04	0.37
1991	0.04	0.38
1990	0.21	0.36
1989	0.14	0.36
1988	0.21	0.36

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

n/a

View Data

American Indian Student Percentage Comparison (2022-2023)
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	1%	1%
2022	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Asian

n/a

View Data

Showing 2010–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	1%	3%
2022	1%	3%
2021	1%	3%
2020	2%	3%
2019	2%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	3%
2011	1%	2%
2010	1%	3%
2009	1%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	3%
2005	1%	2%
2004	1%	2%
2003	1%	2%
2002	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1991	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

14%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	12%	9%
2022	12%	9%
2021	13%	8%
2020	12%	8%
2019	12%	8%
2018	16%	8%
2017	16%	7%
2016	17%	7%
2015	16%	7%
2014	13%	7%
2013	10%	6%
2012	12%	6%
2011	13%	6%
2010	11%	5%
2009	11%	5%
2008	12%	5%
2007	12%	5%
2006	8%	4%
2005	8%	4%
2004	8%	4%
2003	9%	4%
2002	3%	4%
2001	4%	4%
2000	2%	3%
1999	2%	3%
1998	1%	3%
1997	1%	3%
1996	2%	3%
1995	2%	3%
1994	2%	2%
1993	1%	3%
1992	2%	3%
1991	1%	3%
1990	12%	2%
1989	8%	2%
1988	12%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

19%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 28-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1996-2023)
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	2%	18%
2022	2%	18%
2021	2%	18%
2020	2%	18%
2019	2%	18%
2018	2%	18%
2017	2%	18%
2016	1%	18%
2014	1%	18%
2013	1%	18%
2012	1%	19%
2011	1%	19%
2010	1%	20%
2009	1%	20%
2008	1%	20%
2007	1%	20%
2006	1%	20%
2005	1%	20%
2004	1%	20%
2003	1%	20%
2002	1%	20%
2001	1%	19%
2000	1%	19%
1999	1%	19%
1997	1%	19%
1996	1%	18%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

81%

61%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	83%	64%
2022	83%	64%
2021	83%	65%
2020	83%	66%
2019	83%	66%
2018	81%	66%
2017	81%	67%
2016	81%	68%
2015	71%	68%
2014	83%	68%
2013	86%	69%
2012	85%	69%
2011	84%	70%
2010	87%	71%
2009	87%	71%
2008	86%	71%
2007	86%	71%
2006	90%	72%
2005	89%	73%
2004	90%	73%
2003	89%	72%
2002	95%	73%
2001	95%	74%
2000	97%	75%
1999	97%	75%
1998	99%	75%
1997	98%	76%
1996	96%	76%
1995	98%	77%
1994	98%	78%
1993	99%	78%
1992	98%	78%
1991	98%	77%
1990	88%	78%
1989	92%	78%
1988	88%	78%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	1%	5%
2022	1%	5%
2021	1%	5%
2020	1%	4%
2019	1%	4%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	3%
2015	4%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	2%
2011	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $19,941 in this school district is less than the state median of $22,572. The school district revenue/student has grown by 15% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $18,475 is less than the state median of $21,839. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.

This School District

This State (MI)

Total Revenue

$47 MM

$30,868 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	$47 MM	$15 MM
2022	$42 MM	$13 MM
2021	$39 MM	$12 MM
2020	$36 MM	$11 MM
2019	$34 MM	$11 MM
2018	$33 MM	$10 MM
2017	$31 MM	$10 MM
2016	$30 MM	$10 MM
2015	$30 MM	$11 MM
2014	$29 MM	$10 MM
2012	$29 MM	$10 MM
2011	$29 MM	$11 MM
2010	$30 MM	$11 MM
2009	$29 MM	$11 MM
2008	$29 MM	$11 MM
2007	$29 MM	$10 MM
2006	$28 MM	$10 MM
2005	$28 MM	$10 MM
2004	$25 MM	$10 MM
2003	$25 MM	$10 MM
2002	$26 MM	$10 MM
2001	$24 MM	$10 MM
2000	$22 MM	$9 MM
1999	$22 MM	$9 MM
1998	$21 MM	$10 MM
1997	$20 MM	$10 MM
1996	$20 MM	$10 MM
1995	$19 MM	$10 MM
1992	$14 MM	$8 MM
1990	$12 MM	$7 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$44 MM

$29,866 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	$43 MM	$15 MM
2022	$41 MM	$13 MM
2021	$48 MM	$11 MM
2020	$48 MM	$11 MM
2019	$40 MM	$10 MM
2018	$46 MM	$10 MM
2017	$32 MM	$10 MM
2016	$29 MM	$10 MM
2015	$29 MM	$11 MM
2014	$28 MM	$9 MM
2012	$31 MM	$10 MM
2011	$30 MM	$10 MM
2010	$29 MM	$11 MM
2009	$29 MM	$11 MM
2008	$35 MM	$11 MM
2007	$40 MM	$11 MM
2006	$35 MM	$11 MM
2005	$27 MM	$10 MM
2004	$24 MM	$11 MM
2003	$24 MM	$11 MM
2002	$24 MM	$10 MM
2001	$23 MM	$10 MM
2000	$23 MM	$9 MM
1999	$22 MM	$10 MM
1998	$20 MM	$10 MM
1997	$21 MM	$10 MM
1996	$21 MM	$10 MM
1995	$18 MM	$10 MM
1992	$14 MM	$8 MM
1990	$16 MM	$7 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$19,941

$22,572

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	$19,477	$20,540
2022	$17,283	$17,846
2021	$15,770	$15,927
2020	$14,579	$14,589
2019	$13,945	$14,099
2018	$13,256	$14,094
2017	$12,057	$13,305
2016	$11,384	$13,102
2015	$11,406	$11,681
2014	$10,733	$12,204
2012	$10,263	$12,235
2011	$10,416	$12,684
2010	$10,216	$11,681
2009	$10,067	$11,537
2008	$9,857	$11,222
2007	$9,875	$10,819
2006	$9,410	$9,793
2005	$9,419	$9,706
2004	$8,083	$9,471
2003	$8,774	$9,243
2002	$8,877	$8,687
2001	$7,923	$8,215
2000	$7,396	$7,511
1999	$7,157	$7,057
1998	$6,868	$7,001
1997	$6,314	$6,567
1995	$6,632	$6,044
1992	$4,754	$5,111
1990	$4,385	$4,212

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$18,475

$21,839

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Sparta Area Schools	Michigan
2023	$18,046	$19,990
2022	$17,127	$17,220
2021	$19,548	$15,085
2020	$19,714	$14,302
2019	$16,129	$13,858
2018	$18,700	$13,691
2017	$12,837	$13,192
2016	$11,042	$12,965
2015	$11,069	$11,849
2014	$10,480	$12,085
2012	$10,735	$12,141
2011	$10,641	$12,422
2010	$9,913	$11,849
2009	$9,973	$11,612
2008	$11,957	$11,334
2007	$13,599	$10,901
2006	$11,906	$10,200
2005	$9,088	$9,852
2004	$7,738	$9,880
2003	$8,505	$9,552
2002	$8,313	$8,745
2001	$7,596	$8,343
2000	$7,652	$7,542
1999	$7,258	$7,404
1998	$6,546	$7,125
1997	$6,744	$6,851
1995	$6,142	$5,989
1992	$4,855	$5,102
1990	$5,912	$4,194

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Best Sparta Area Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Appleview Elementary School

(Math: 50% | Reading: 48%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

240 E Spartan Dr
Sparta, MI 49345
(616) 887-1743

Gr: 3-5 | 517 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%

Rank: #22.

Sparta Middle School

(Math: 30% | Reading: 45%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

235 E Spartan Dr
Sparta, MI 49345
(616) 887-8211

Gr: 6-8 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 18%

Rank: n/an/a

Ridgeview Elementary School

Add to Compare

560 W Spartan Dr
Sparta, MI 49345
(616) 887-8218

Gr: PK-2 | 555 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%

Recent Articles

October 07, 2026

How Much Choice Do High School Students Have?

Learn how graduation requirements, prerequisites, electives, staffing, scheduling conflicts, AP courses, dual enrollment, and career pathways determine how much control high school students have over schedules each year.

October 07, 2026

Does Your Child Need More Recess?

Explore whether your child may benefit more from recess than another academic period, including research on attention, learning, physical activity, stress, social development, and school-day balance today.

October 07, 2026

Combined Grade Classrooms, What Parents Should Know

Learn how combined-grade classrooms work, why public schools use them, potential benefits and challenges, and the questions parents should ask before enrolling their child in one today.

Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 4 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 2,353 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
Minority Enrollment: 19%
: 86% (Top 30% in MI)
: Top 50%
: 38% (Top 30%)
: 47% (Top 50%)
: 44% (Top 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education