Education

Otsego’s Vision is “Expect Excellence” and we believe that all students can excel. We are focused on creating wellrounded individuals who are college, career and community ready.

Otsego Public Schools educates more than 2300 students in three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school and an alternative high school. Otsego is also home to a unique nature-based preschool building, the Learn ‘ n Grow Early Childhood Education Center, and began its own virtual school, Otsego Virtual Academy, in the fall of 2021.

Technology is strategic and focused at Otsego. Otsego is now a 1:1 technology district implementing a device for each student that will transform our teaching and learning. With a wireless campus, our teachers find new ways to engage our students in their courses with technology. As trends change, we seek ways to incorporate new tools in our students ’ learning. Otsego offers a variety of STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) opportunities in and out of the classroom.

Research is a driving force behind our teaching methods and educational strategies that, we feel, sets our students apart. Innovative language and literacy programs along with increased physical activity programs are direct implementations of that research. Otsego is consistently among the top area schools in student achievement ranking above the state average. Otsego has received five Excellence in Education awards from the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB.)

Along with the core subjects, elementary students take art, music, technology, Spanish, health and physical education each week. Those continue into middle school along with engineering, choir and band. Extra-curricular activities embrace a variety of student interests across all grade levels from art and robotics to writing and physical activity. Our focus on literacy is yearround with the addition of the Bulldogs Bookin ’ Bus mobile library, on the road since the summer of 2017.

Above all, the culture and climate throughout the district is one of caring, concern and compassion. We know that building strong relationships with the individual student strengthens their educational experience and performance. All staff are trained in Capturing Kids ’ Hearts, a national program that aims to help students achieve a higher level of learning through the simple concept of caring. Three of our buildings were awarded as National Showcase Schools for 2020-21.

Our community is an integral part of an Otsego education. Students participate in, and initiate community service activities at each grade level collecting food, toys, donating blood and raising money for various causes.

In Otsego, we are committed to your child’ s education and success! Expect Excellence.

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Plainwell Community Schools strives to be the place where every parent wants their child to be and every student loves being. Our district provides an innovative educational system with strong values; whose students are skilled in communication, problem solving, and creative and critical thinking. Our graduates are involved citizens, prepared for success in a complex and ever-changing world.

At PCS, we provide all students with a core curriculum developed from the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations and the Michigan High School Content Expectations. This curriculum defines what students should know and be able to do in the disciplines of mathematics, science, social studies and English Language Arts. Also, a solid curriculum is provided for all students in other critical areas such as music, the arts, physical education, health, technology, world languages, character education and career and employability skills.

In addition to its Middle School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum, Plainwell Community Schools launched Project Lead the Way (PLTW) at the High School in 2016. An extension of the STEM Curriculum, the high school students who elect to take PLTW courses choose either a biomedical science or engineering track. Both elective programs offer a different approach to learning. Through activity, project, and problem-based curriculum, they give students a chance to apply what they know, identify problems, find unique solutions and lead their own learning.

In the ever-changing world of education, PCS strives to meet the needs of our students and families! New in 2020, Plainwell Community Schools launched virtual learning for their K-12 students. The program offers a full virtual option, as well as a hybrid/partial virtual option (home learning with limited in-person), where students can receive a Plainwell education with the support and resources from PCS educators, all while learning from home at their own pace with synchronous and asynchronous learning.

Plainwell High School has been nationally ranked since 2013 and most recently was named to the Washington Post’ s list of America ’ s Most Challenging High Schools. Additionally, Cooper Elementary has been named a Michigan Reward School placing it in the Top 5% of all Michigan elementary schools.

Our athletic department takes great pride in producing well-rounded athletes, many of whom strive to go on to play in college and at the professional level. Two notable standouts are Jack Conklin (’12) who is the Offensive Tackle for the Cleveland Browns and Mallory Comerford (’15) who is a Gold Medal World Championship Swimmer – Trojan pride!

The district also boasts a 750-seat Performing Arts Center that showcases the district’ s band and choral programs along with many shows from the three elementary schools and community groups.

Our main campus at Plainwell Community Schools is home to our Class B High School, Middle School, Starr Elementary, Performing Arts Center, Pool Complex, Athletic Stadium and our Administrative Offices.

Located off the main campus are two of our elementary school buildings. Gilkey Elementary stands on 90 acres bordering the Kalamazoo River. A large portion of this acreage has been developed as an outdoor environmental laboratory for student learning. Cooper Elementary is also located off the main campus, in Cooper Township which is located on the southern tip of the district in Kalamazoo County.

In addition to its six school buildings, the district also provides an Early Childhood Education Center and maintains Hicks Gymnasium for community use. Community Education offices, Renaissance High School and PCS Adult Education are located at the newly renovated Plainwell Community Center off M-89 just outside of downtown.

Thanks to the generous members of the Plainwell community, a recent 49 million dollar bond was passed so that Plainwell Schools can continue to keep our facilities up to date and provide a great learning atmosphere. Projects include renovations of our Community Center, an addition and renovations to our Middle School, renovations of all Elementary playgrounds, a new pool and competition gym facility, and the addition of air conditioning in all facilities throughout the district. We are excited for the opportunities these changes will provide for Plainwell students, families, staff and community members.

PCS strives to provide the absolute best educational experience possible for all students. The mission of Plainwell Community Schools is to engage, inspire, and empower every student every day. The “Work Hard and Be Nice to People ” philosophy is displayed throughout the district as a reminder and for inspiration to our students, staff and families to maintain a positive learning environment for all that attend Plainwell Community Schools.