Points of Pride

It is with great pride and excitement that we announce that Caledonia Elementary School has been named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for being an Exemplary High Performing School!  Awesome job, Caledonia Elementary!!

Press Release - September 19, 2023
National Blue Ribbon School Award Announcement

We are excited to announce that Dutton Elementary School has been recognized as a 2021 National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for being an Exemplary High Performing School. Awesome job, Dutton!!

Duncan Lake Middle School Earns National Recognition as a Model PLC at Work School

Duncan Lake Middle School has earned national recognition as a 2025 Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work® School by Solution Tree, becoming one of only five schools in Michigan to receive this distinction! This honor recognizes the dedication of DLMS educators to collaboration, continuous improvement, and student achievement. Through a shared focus on learning and results, the DLMS team continues to create opportunities for every student to succeed. Congratulations to the entire Duncan Lake Middle School team on this outstanding achievement!

2025–2026 Honorees

• Kettle Lake Elementary
• Paris Ridge Elementary

2024–2025 Honorees

• Dutton Elementary
• Kettle Lake Elementary
• Paris Ridge Elementary

2023–2024 Honorees

• Dutton Elementary
• Kettle Lake Elementary
• Paris Ridge Elementary
• Kraft Meadows Intermediate School

Six Caledonia Schools Named 2022-2023 Capturing Kids’ HeartsRising Star Schools

Caledonia Community Schools is honored to have 6 buildings selected as a "Rising Star" by Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH)! This is given to a select group of schools in their first year of implementation of CKH, who have shown exemplary progress and impact of CKH practices in the building. 

Rising Star Schools 2022-2023

• Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center
• Caledonia Elementary
• Dutton Elementary
• Emmons Lake Elementary
• Kettle Lake Elementary
• Paris Ridge Elementary

2023 CKH Convoy of Hope Recipients

In 2023, nine CCS educators were recognized through the Capturing Kids' Hearts (CKH) Convoy of Hope initiative. A CKH representative made surprise visits to each school, presenting one staff member from each building with a $100 gift card in appreciation of their dedication to building positive relationships and creating supportive learning environments. Congratulations to Trisha Scott (ECC), Jenny King (CE), Karlene Hantle (DE), Kelly Mulry (EL), Nancy Dryburgh (KL), Nicole Meurlin (PR), Becky Bravata (KMIS), Emma Ritz-Smith (DLMS), and Ian Durkee (CHS) for making a difference in the lives of our students!

CCS Schools Recognized Among Michigan’s Best by U.S. News & World Report

Caledonia Community Schools continues to celebrate academic excellence, with several of our elementary schools earning recognition among Michigan's best in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and school communities. We're proud to recognize our schools for their commitment to student learning and success!

View the complete U.S. News & World Report Rankings

2026/2027 School Year

Two CCS Elementary Schools Rank Among Michigan's Top 25! We're excited to share that Dutton Elementary and Emmons Lake Elementary schools have both earned spots among the Top 25 Elementary Schools in Michigan in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings!

2025/2026 School Year

We're excited to share that Caledonia Elementary School has earned an impressive Top 25 ranking in the state on the U.S. News & World Report's rankings for the Top Elementary Schools in Michigan!  This incredible recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and the entire Cal community. Way to go, Cal El!  

Staff Awards/Recognition - 2026/2027 School Year

More to come! Check back soon!

Building/Department Recognitions - 2026/2027

Caledonia High School Students Earn 30 College Board National Recognition Awards

Caledonia High School students earned an impressive 30 College Board National Recognition Program awards! These honors include 21 School Recognition Awards and 9 First-Generation Recognition Awards. The awards recognize students who have maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrated outstanding academic performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams. Congratulations to our CHS students on this achievement and for their continued dedication to academic excellence!

Knights of Columbus Donate $1,533 to Support CCS Special Programs

Caledonia Community Schools extends a special thank you to Knights of Columbus Council 7341 at Holy Family Catholic Church for their generous donation of $1,533 to our Special Programs department. Funds raised through the annual Michigan M.I. Drive will help support CCS students and programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We appreciate their continued commitment to our schools and community!

Caledonia High School AP Students Continue to Raise the Bar

Caledonia High School is celebrating another strong year of Advanced Placement (AP) achievement! This year, 427 students completed 742 AP exams, with 370 students earning a score of 3 or higher, representing an impressive 86.65% of participating students. These results reflect the dedication of our students and teachers as they continue to embrace challenging, college-level coursework and achieve academic success.

Bond Refinancing

The Board of Education took action in 2026 to refinance $10.5 million from the 2016 bond, resulting in more than $830,000 in savings for taxpayers— a 7.49% savings in present value.  This move was made possible as the bonds reached their callable status, allowing the district to take advantage of favorable conditions and reduce long-term costs.  This builds on previous refinancings, most recently in January 2024, when an additional $2.5 million was saved by refinancing $18.2 million in other bonds (12.07% savings).  It’s one more example of a continued focus on responsible financial decisions that benefit our community.

MI HeartSafe Award 2023-2026 (9 Schools)

We are thrilled to share that all 9 of our schools in the district have earned the prestigious MI HEARTSafe School designation for 2023-2026! This honor, presented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Education, American Heart Association, Michigan High School Athletic Association, and Michigan Alliance for Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death of the Young, recognizes our commitment to creating a safer learning environment and helping prevent sudden cardiac death. 

This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our staff and community to prioritize student and staff safety. 

Staff Awards/Recognition - 2025/2026 School Year

Rachelle Gustafson - LMCU "Roots in Education" Award (Dutton)

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Mrs. Gustafson at Dutton Elementary for being recognized with a Roots in Education Award through LMCU!  Mrs. Gustafson, who teaches in one of our Cognitive Impairment Program classrooms, was awarded $1,000 to support her students and classroom learning experiences. Her compassion, patience, and dedication to helping every student grow and succeed make her so deserving of this recognition.  Congratulations, Mrs. Gustafson! We are so lucky to have you as part of our CCS Caledonia family.

Shawn Veitch - GR Kids Inspiring Principal Award

We are proud of our principals every single day at CCS, but it is always special when others in our community recognize the difference they make. Congratulations to Shawn Veitch on being named “Most Inspiring Principal” by grkids.com! This honor, voted on by community members, reflects the care, leadership, positivity, and heart he brings to students, staff, and families each day.  Mr. Veitch leads with connection and compassion, and we are thankful for the impact he continues to make in our schools and throughout our community.  Congratulations, Mr. Veitch! 

Steve Uyl - KCTC Teacher Academy Outstanding Principal of the Year

Congrats to Steve Uyl, Principal at Kraft Meadows Intermediate School, on being named the Kent Career Tech Center (KCTC) Teacher Academy Outstanding Principal of the Year! This recognition reflects the impact he makes every day, supporting students, lifting up staff, and helping future educators grow through the Teacher Academy program. We’re proud to have his leadership in Caledonia!

Tyler Jaenicke - Varsity Hockey Division 2 Coach of the Year

Congrats to Cal Varsity Men’s Hockey Head Coach Tyler Jaenicke on being named Michigan High School Hockey Coaches’ Association Division 2 Coach of the Year! This recognition reflects the leadership, dedication, and passion he brings to the program and to the student-athletes he coaches every day. The Cal hockey program continues to compete at a high level thanks to the commitment of coaches and players who represent our school community with pride.

Shawn Veitch - Varsity Wrestling Regional Coach of the Year

Caledonia Community Schools proudly congratulates our Varsity Wrestling coach on being named Regional Coach of the Year by the Michigan Wrestling Association.

This recognition reflects his leadership, preparation, and commitment to building a program rooted in discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Throughout the season, he has challenged student-athletes to compete at a high level while representing Cal with pride and integrity.

We are grateful for the positive impact he continues to make on our wrestlers and the broader Cal community. Congratulations on this well-earned honor!

Duane Petrosky - Varsity Ski Regional Coach of the Year

Caledonia Community Schools is proud to congratulate Duane Petrosky on being named Regional Coach of the Year, Division 2.

Coach Petrosky’s leadership, commitment, and passion for the sport of skiing continue to make a lasting impact on our student-athletes. His dedication to developing both skill and character has helped shape a strong Varsity Ski program and a culture built on hard work and teamwork.

We are grateful for the time and energy he pours into our students each season. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Coach Petrosky!

Samantha Ringelberg - Treadstone Funding Award

We are thrilled to celebrate Samantha Ringelberg, who was named the winner of Treadstone Funding’s Heart & Home award with an incredible 52 nominations from our Caledonia community! As Dutton Elementary School moved to its new building this summer, Sam worked countless 12+ hour days packing, hauling, cleaning, and preparing every classroom with unwavering care. Dozens of nominations described her as “the heart of the school,” and it’s easy to see why. This recognition comes with a $500 award from Treadstone Funding, but the true celebration is the impact Sam makes every day on our students and staff. Thank you, Sam, for your dedication, heart, and the difference you make for all of us. 

Caledonia High School - 30 Best High Schools in Michigan 

Caledonia High School has been recognized as one of the best in Michigan, earning the #19 spot on Money Inc.’s list of “The 30 Best High Schools in Michigan.” This honor highlights CHS’s commitment to academic excellence, with above-average proficiency in math, science, and reading; a wide range of AP and honors courses; a 95% graduation rate with most students pursuing higher education; and more than 30 extracurricular opportunities, including championship-level programs in debate and robotics. With modern facilities, innovative learning spaces, and strong community partnerships that provide real-world experiences, CHS continues to prepare students for success beyond high school. We are proud to be one of only three public schools in West Michigan ranked in the top 20, alongside Forest Hills Central and East Grand Rapids.

Duncan Lake Middle School MVP Sports Award

Big congratulations to Taylor Kastens, Jen Amorose, and Makayla Roberts for representing Caledonia at the United Champion Schools Annual Conference for Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI)!

While they were there, Duncan Lake Middle School was honored with the MVP Sports Award for the 2024-2025 school year! 

This is such an amazing recognition and accomplishment for our Duncan Lake community. It is a true testament to the dedication, inclusion, and sportsmanship shown by our students and staff.

AP Excellence at Caledonia High School

Caledonia High School’s Advanced Placement program continues to set the pace—more students are challenging themselves, and more students are succeeding.

Highlights:

AP Government: 98.6% pass rate; 82% earned a 4 or 5; met or exceeded state and national averages on all 30 AP learning targets.

Overall AP Growth: 
2024 → 357 students tested | 82.5% scored 3+
2025 → 372 students tested | 87.63% scored 3+
That’s 15 more students testing and 30 more earning a passing score.

Why it matters: 
AP courses build college readiness and can translate into significant tuition savings. We’re proud of every Fighting Scot who took on the AP challenge—and grateful to the educators who make this success possible.

National School Public Relations Association Awards (Kelly Clark)

Recognized for Excellence in Communications
Caledonia Community Schools is proud to announce that it has earned five national awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for excellence in school communications. The district received top honors for its newsletter, photography, and special publications, along with recognition for social media and video campaigns. These awards celebrate the stories, traditions, students, staff, and community that make Caledonia a place where people truly make the difference.

• Award of Excellence – Cal Communicator (Newsletter)
• Award of Excellence – Bound by Purple & Gold (Photo)
• Award of Excellence – 75 Years at the Ralph (Special Purpose Publication)
• Award of Merit – May 6 Millage Renewal Campaign (Social Media)
• Award of Merit – Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow: 75 Years Later (Video - CCS & HD4 Media)

Michigan School Public Relations Association Awards (Kelly Clark)

Recognized for Excellence in Communications
Caledonia Community Schools was honored with four statewide awards from the Michigan School Public Relations Association (MSPRA) for outstanding achievement in school communications. The district earned three Excellence Awards for its social media campaign, community newsletter, and photography, along with a Merit Award for marketing materials. These recognitions highlight Caledonia’s ongoing commitment to transparent, creative, and engaging storytelling that celebrates our students, staff, and community, where people truly make the difference.

Building/Department Recognitions - 2026/2027

Paris Ridge Elementary Recognized with TalentFirst Literacy Leader Award

Congratulations to Paris Ridge Elementary for being one of just six elementary schools in West Michigan to receive the TalentFirst Literacy Leader Award! This recognition celebrates the school's commitment to building a strong culture of literacy and helping students develop essential reading skills. Representatives from TalentFirst visited Paris Ridge to present a $1,000 award in recognition of their achievement. We're proud of the Paris Ridge students and staff for their dedication to literacy and student success!