Spring Valley Center for Exploration

3530 MOUNT OLIVET RD
KALAMAZOO, MI 49004

www.kalamazoo.k12.mi.us

281 Students

Elementary School Pre-K - 5th

School Overview

Spring Valley Center for Exploration, located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is a specialized elementary school within the Kalamazoo Public Schools district. It is widely recognized for its unique educational philosophy, which emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning and inquiry-based exploration. The school’s curriculum is designed to foster curiosity and critical thinking, encouraging students to take an active role in their education by engaging with real-world problems and collaborative activities.

The school is known for its inclusive and supportive environment, focusing on developing the "whole child"—academically, socially, and emotionally. By leveraging a thematic approach to learning, Spring Valley provides students with opportunities to connect their classroom studies to the broader community and natural world. As part of the Kalamazoo Public Schools system, the center benefits from the district's broader resources and commitment to innovative teaching, making it a distinct choice for families seeking an immersive and engaging early childhood and elementary experience.

281

Total Students

22.2

Full-Time Teachers

12.7

Student/Teacher Ratio

78.6%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Spring Valley Center for Exploration
Demographic	Student Count
White	45
Hispanic	27
Black	149
Asian	3
Two or More	53
American Indian	4

Black
149 (53.0 %)
Two or More
53 (18.9 %)
White
45 (16.0 %)
Hispanic
27 (9.6 %)
American Indian
4 (1.4 %)
Asian
3 (1.1 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Kalamazoo Public Schools
Phone:	(269)337-0750
Website:	http://www.kalamazoo.k12.mi.us
Grade Range:	Pre-K - 5th
Total Students:	281
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	22.2
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	12.7
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	210
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	11

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 41

Grade 1 43

Grade 2 44

Grade 3 46

Grade 4 55

Grade 5 52