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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Ionia County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 10,972 students in Ionia County, MI (there are 6 private schools, serving 696 private students). 93% of all K-12 students in Ionia County, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Ionia County, MI are Pewamowestphalia Elementary School, Coon School and North Levalley Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Ionia County, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Ionia County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Ionia County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Pewamowestphalia Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
430 W Jefferson St
Pewamo, MI 48873
(989) 593-3488
Gr: PK-5 | 249 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #22.
Coon School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
6679 S State Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-4900
Gr: K-6 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #33.
North Levalley Elementary School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
2120 N State Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-4900
Gr: K-5 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #44.
Haynor School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1779 Haynor Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-4900
Gr: K-6 | 10 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
Rank: #55.
Saranac Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
250 Pleasant St
Saranac, MI 48881
(616) 642-1200
Gr: PK-6 | 433 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #66.
Westwood Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
883 Cross St
Portland, MI 48875
(517) 647-2989
Gr: 3-5 | 423 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #77.
Saranac Jrsr High School
Magnet School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
150 Pleasant St
Saranac, MI 48881
(616) 642-1100
Gr: 7-12 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Portland High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1100 Ionia Rd
Portland, MI 48875
(517) 647-2981
Gr: 9-12 | 665 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #99.
Lakewood High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7223 Velte Rd
Lake Odessa, MI 48849
(616) 374-8868
Gr: 8-12 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Freedom Acres School
Special Education School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2191 Harwood Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-2921
Gr: PK-12 | 107 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #1111.
Aa Rather School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
380 E Tuttle Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-1720
Gr: PK-5 | 308 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1212.
Douglas R Welch High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
250 E Tuttle Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-3530
Gr: 9-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 37:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #1313.
Ionia High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
250 E Tuttle Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-0600
Gr: 9-12 | 774 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1414.
Rb Boyce Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3550 N State Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-0571
Gr: PK-5 | 254 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1515.
Woodview Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
450 Orchard St
Belding, MI 48809
(616) 794-4750
Gr: 3-5 | 372 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #1616.
Ionia Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
438 Union St
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-0040
Gr: 6-8 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1717.
Emerson School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
645 Hackett St
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-8018
Gr: PK-5 | 166 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #1818.
Portland Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
745 Storz St
Portland, MI 48875
(517) 647-2985
Gr: 6-8 | 418 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1919.
Belding Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
410 Ionia St
Belding, MI 48809
(616) 794-4400
Gr: 6-8 | 363 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #2020.
Lakewood Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
812 Washington Blvd
Lake Odessa, MI 48849
(616) 374-8842
Gr: 1-4 | 461 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #2121.
Jefferson School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
420 N Jefferson St
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-2740
Gr: PK-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 24%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Belding High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
850 Hall St
Belding, MI 48809
(616) 794-4900
Gr: 9-12 | 511 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Twin Rivers Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
435 Lou Lemke Ln
Muir, MI 48860
(616) 522-0005
Gr: PK-5 | 183 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility
Alternative School
1727 W Bluewater Hwy
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-2510
Gr: 9-12 | 9 students Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: n/an/a
Ellis Elementary School
100 W Ellis Ave
Belding, MI 48809
(616) 794-4100
Gr: PK-2 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: n/an/a
Handlon Correctional Facility
Alternative School
1728 W Bluewater Hwy
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-3100
Gr: 9-12 | 2 students
Rank: n/an/a
Ionia County Career Center
Vocational School
250 E Tuttle Rd
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 489-2152
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Ionia Maximum Correctional Facility
Alternative School
1576 W Bluewater Hwy
Ionia, MI 48846
(616) 527-6331
Gr: 9-12 | 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
Link Learning Virtual Program
Alternative School
9057 W Belding Rd, Ste 4
Belding, MI 48809
(616) 244-3553
Gr: 9-12 | 2,526 students Student-teacher ratio: 90:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: n/an/a
Oakwood Elementary School
500 Oak St
Portland, MI 48875
(517) 647-2991
Gr: PK-2 | 473 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Ionia County, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Ionia County, MI include Pewamowestphalia Elementary School, Coon School and North Levalley Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Ionia County?
31 public schools are located in Ionia County.
What percentage of students in Ionia County go to public school?
93% of all K-12 students in Ionia County are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Ionia County?
Ionia County public schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Ionia County are often viewed compared to one another?

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