For the 2026 school year, there are 47 public schools serving 15,570 students in Van Buren County, MI (there are 7 private schools, serving 479 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Van Buren County, MI are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Van Buren County, MI are Mattawan High School, Mattawan Later Elementary School and Bert Goens Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Van Buren County, MI public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 46% statewide average). Schools in Van Buren County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Michigan public schools.
Minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Van Buren County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mattawan High School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Gr: 9-12 | 1,126 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Mattawan Later Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Gr: 3-5 | 808 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #33.
Bert Goens Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: ≥80%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
701 S Paw Paw St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 539-5032
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 539-5032
Gr: PK-12 | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #44.
Mattawan Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
56720 Murray St
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Mattawan, MI 49071
(269) 668-3361
Gr: 6-8 | 823 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #55.
Gobles Virtual Academy
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
409 N State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gr: K-12 | 35 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #66.
Wood School Bangor Twp 8
Magnet School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
29842 66th St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-8562
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-8562
Gr: K-8 | 24 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: #77.
Hartford Alternative Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
115 School St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7143
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7143
Gr: 6-12 | 122 students Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #88.
Way South Haven
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
125 Veterans Dr
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
Gr: 8-12 | 44 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #99.
Communitybased Transition Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≥50% | Reading: ≥50% )
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
811 Hazen St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 415-0270
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 415-0270
Gr: 10-12 | 53 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #1010.
Gobles Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
409 N State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9445
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9445
Gr: PK-5 | 355 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1111.
Paw Paw Later Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
612 W North St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5400
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5400
Gr: 3-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #1212.
Davis Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
409 N Phelps St
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6950
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6950
Gr: K-5 | 356 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #1313.
Lawton Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
100 Primary Way
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7501
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7501
Gr: PK-4 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Lawton High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
101 Blue Pride Dr
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7800
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7800
Gr: 8-12 | 279 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 22%
Rank: #14 - 1514. - 15.
Paw Paw High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
30609 E Red Arrow Hwy
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5600
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5600
Gr: 9-12 | 638 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #1616.
South Haven High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
600 Elkenburg St
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
Gr: 9-12 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1717.
Lincoln School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 Elkenburg St
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0540
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0540
Gr: PK-3 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #1818.
Paw Paw Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
313 W Michigan Ave
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5500
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5500
Gr: 6-8 | 498 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1919.
Lawton Accelerated Academic Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
101 Blue Pride Dr
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7542
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7542
Gr: 5-12 | 26 students Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #2020.
Lawrence Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
714 W Saint Joseph St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8231
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8231
Gr: K-6 | 214 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #2121.
Lawton Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 Blue Pride Dr
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7600
Lawton, MI 49065
(269) 624-7600
Gr: 5-8 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2222.
Maple Grove Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
72399 12th Ave
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
Gr: PK-3 | 300 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #2323.
Gobles High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
409 N State St
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gobles, MI 49055
(269) 628-9340
Gr: 6-12 | 396 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #2424.
North Shore Elementary School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
7320 N Shore Dr
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0500
Gr: 4-5 | 255 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2525.
Lawrence Jrsr High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
650 W Saint Joseph St
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8232
Lawrence, MI 49064
(269) 674-8232
Gr: 7-12 | 179 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #2626.
Cedar Street Community And Family Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
555 Cedar St
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5700
Paw Paw, MI 49079
(269) 415-5700
Gr: 6-12 | 76 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 21%
Rank: #2727.
Baseline Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
7357 Baseline Rd
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0530
South Haven, MI 49090
(269) 637-0530
Gr: 6-8 | 377 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #2828.
Redwood Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
395 Woodside Dr
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7300
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7300
Gr: K-5 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #2929.
Hartford High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
121 School St
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7100
Hartford, MI 49057
(269) 621-7100
Gr: 9-12 | 379 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #3030.
Decatur Jr Sr High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
110 Cedar St
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6851
Decatur, MI 49045
(269) 423-6851
Gr: 6-12 | 399 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #3131.
Bloomingdale Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
307 E Willow St
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3935
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3935
Gr: K-5 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #3232.
Bloomingdale Middle And High School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
629 E Kalamazoo St
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3910
Bloomingdale, MI 49026
(269) 521-3910
Gr: 6-12 | 516 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #3333.
Bangor Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
803 W Arlington St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6800
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-6800
Gr: 5-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Covert High School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
35323 M 140 Hwy
Covert, MI 49043
(269) 764-3711
Covert, MI 49043
(269) 764-3711
Gr: 9-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #34 - 3534. - 35.
Maple Creek Education Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
30 S Walnut St
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-7961
Bangor, MI 49013
(269) 427-7961
Gr: K-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Show 12 more public schools in Van Buren County, MI (out of 47 total schools)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Van Buren County, MI?
The top-ranked public schools in Van Buren County, MI include Mattawan High School, Mattawan Later Elementary School and Bert Goens Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Van Buren County?
47 public schools are located in Van Buren County.
What percentage of students in Van Buren County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Van Buren County are educated in public schools (compared to the MI state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Van Buren County?
Van Buren County public schools minority enrollment is 32% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public schools average of 37% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Van Buren County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Van Buren County include: Mattawan Early Elementary School vs. Paw Paw Early Elementary School, Paw Paw Early Elementary School vs. Mattawan Early Elementary School, Lincoln School vs. Maple Grove Elementary School
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