Okemos Public Schools

rdf:langString Okemos Public Schools

rdf:langString Okemos Public Schools, originally established in 1849, now represents a 22.5-square-mile (58 km2) areain north-central Ingham County in Okemos, Michigan adjacent to East Lansing, Michigan (home of Michigan State University) and four miles (6.4 km) east of Lansing, Michigan. The school district includes approximately two-thirds of Meridian Township, Michigan and portions of Alaiedon and Williamstown townships. In 2005-06, the district enrolled 4,210 students and employed 298 teachers, 19 administrators, and 233 support personnel. In 2009, the Okemos school board decided, to reorganize the district's elementary and middle schools. One key objective was to close budget deficits resulting from lagging tax revenues and declining enrolments. Improvements sought to consolidate teaching to a few schools, allowing for more specialization among teachers at each grade level. In 2010, Wardcliff and Edgewood Elementary Schools closed. Kindergarten to 4th grade students from Wardcliff and Central were reassigned to Cornell, Bennett Woods, and Hiawatha; and the public Montessori program moved to Central from Edgewood. All 5th and 6th graders now attend Kinawa Middle School, with all 7th and 8th graders now attending Chippewa Middle School. Edgewood is now home to Okemos Community Education, which also houses their Childcare Program and Pre-School Program. Okemos Public Schools is ranked as the #6 best school district in Michigan by Niche as of 2022.