Alma Public Schools

Alma Public Schools
Address
1500 N. Pine Avenue[1]
, Gratiot, Michigan, 48801
United States
District information
GradesPre-Kindergarten-12
SuperintendentStacey Criner[2]
Schools5[3]
Budget$28,657,000 2021-2022 expenditures[3]
NCES District ID2602640[3]
Students and staff
Students1,844 (2023-2024)[3]
Teachers120.11 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024)[3]
Staff284.23 FTE (2023-2024)[3]
Student–teacher ratio15.35 (2023-2024)[3]
Other information
Websitewww.almaschools.net

Alma Public Schools is a public school district in Gratiot County, Michigan. It serves Alma and parts of the townships of Arcada, Emerson, Pine River, Seville, and Sumner. It also serves parts of the townships of Ferris and Richland in Montcalm County.[4]

History

The first school in Alma was established in 1855.[5] At the corner of Gratiot and Center Streets, a two-story, four-classroom frame school was built in 1868.[6] A Union School was built in 1885 at Court and Superior Streets.[7]

On the block bordered by Hastings, Pine, Downie and Gratiot Streets, a high school was built in 1912.[7] It was replaced by the current high school in fall 1970,[8] becoming the district's middle school.[9] Guido A. Binda was the architect of the 1970 high school building.[10] A performing arts center that seats 1,610 was built at the high school in 2000.[11]

When the current middle school was built as part of the 2004 construction bond program, the former middle school/high school from 1912 was demolished.[12] In 2007, a boy walking across the site found a class ring from 1918 in the dirt and sought to return it to the family of its owner.[13]

Schools

Schools in Alma Public Schools district[14][3]
School Address Notes
Alma High School 1500 N. Pine Ave., Alma Grades 9–12
Donald L. Pavlik Middle School 1700 N. Pine Ave., Alma Grades 6–8
Pine Avenue Elementary 1025 N. Pine Ave., Alma Grades 4–5
Hillcrest Elementary 515 Elizabeth St., Alma Grades 1-3
Luce Road Early Childhood Center 535 N. Luce Rd., Alma Grades PreK-K

References

  1. ^ Alma Public Schools. "Alma Public Schools". Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  2. ^ Alma Public Schools. "About Us". Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Alma Public Schools". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. "Gratiot County School Districts" (PDF). Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  5. ^ City of Alma, Michigan. "History, City of Alma". Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  6. ^ "Mid-Michigan History: Old four-room school in Alma". The Morning Sun (Mt. Pleasant, Mich.). June 17, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Robinson, John. "A Look Back at Alma, Michigan: 1850s to 1950s". WFMK.
  8. ^ "Alma High School takes shape". The Saginaw News. December 28, 1969. p. 11.
  9. ^ "Bids wanted for additions and renovations of the Alma Middle School". Lansing State Journal. July 19, 1970. p. 32.
  10. ^ "Bids wanted for athletic field facilities for the Alma Public Schools". The Saginaw News. September 26, 1969. p. D4.
  11. ^ Rooke, Lisa (January 5, 2000). "Project phase nears end". Crawford County Record (Grayling, Mich.). p. 4G.
  12. ^ Clark Construction Co. "Alma Public Schools 2004 Bond Program". Retrieved October 19, 2025.
  13. ^ The Associated Press (April 9, 2007). "Youth finds ring from '18". The Saginaw News. p. A6.
  14. ^ Alma Public Schools. "Schools menu". Retrieved October 19, 2025.