Hart Public School District

Hart Public School District
Address
301 Johnson St. W[1]
, Oceana County, Michigan, 49420
United States
District information
GradesPreKindergarten - 12
SuperintendentMark Platt[2]
Schools3[3]
Budget$18,625,000 2021-2022 expenditures[3]
NCES District ID2617860[3]
Students and staff
Students1,189 (2023-2024)[3]
Teachers86.1 (on an FTE basis) (2023-2024)[3]
Staff270.88 FTE (2023-2024)[3]
Student–teacher ratio13.81 (2023-2024)[3]
Other information
Websitewww.hartschools.net

Hart Public School District is a public school district in West Michigan. In Oceana County, it serves Hart, Elbridge Township, and parts of the townships of Crystal, Ferry, Golden, Hart, Leavitt, and Shelby.[4]

History

The Hart school district was organized in 1867, but students were not separated into grades until 1878.[5] Prior to 1893, two frame buildings were used as schools (a high school and an elementary).[6] A new school building opened in 1893, and it would serve as Hart's only school until Spitler Elementary opened in fall 1955.[7] Additions were built in 1902, 1912, and 1937.[6][8]

In February 1959, the upper floors of the 1893 building were found to be structurally unsound.[9] Voters approved construction of a replacement building in 1960. It opened in January 1962.[10] It was designed by architecture firm VanderMeiden and Kotelles of Grand Haven.[11]

The current middle school opened in fall 1997.[12]

Normal school

From at least 1909 and into the 1940s, Hart High School operated the Oceana County Normal School, or teacher training school.[13] Graduates of this one-year post-secondary program could be hired to teach in rural schools in the county on a probationary basis, and the credits could be transferred to a state university for the attainment of a teaching degree.[14][15]

Schools

Schools in Hart Public School District share a campus near the corner of S. Peach Avenue and W. Johnson Street in Hart.[1]

Schools in Hanover-Horton School District[3][1]
School Address Notes
Hart High School 300 W Johnson St., Hart Grades 9–12; built 1962[10]
Hart Middle School 308 W Johnson St., Hart Grades 5–8; built 1997[12]
Spitler Elementary 302 W Johnson St., Hart Grades K–4; built 1955[7]
Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center 306 W Johnson St., Hart Preschool

References

  1. ^ a b c Hart Public School District. "Hart Public School Ditrict". Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  2. ^ Hart Public School District. "Staff". Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Hart Public School District". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences.
  4. ^ Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Oceana County School Districts (PDF) (Map). Scale not given. Lansing: Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  5. ^ Editorial staff (1947). The Hartian 1947 (Yearbook). Hart High School. p. 45.
  6. ^ a b Editorial staff (1924). The Hartian 1924 (Yearbook). Hart High School. p. 13.
  7. ^ a b Hart Public School District. "Spitler Turns 70: Remembering the Legacy of Spitler". Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  8. ^ "Hart C-C advances plan for $550,000 high school". Muskegon Chronicle. June 3, 1960. p. 10.
  9. ^ "To shift classes". Grand Rapids Press. February 20, 1959. p. 25.
  10. ^ a b "Hart folk visit new high school". Muskegon Chronicle. March 19, 1962. p. 11.
  11. ^ "Hart High School students will move into new building soon". Grand Rapids Press. December 24, 1961. p. 3.
  12. ^ a b Treutler, Susan K. (September 9, 1997). "Construction, renovations dominate as area schools start fall schedules". Muskegon Chronicle. p. 3.
  13. ^ "Keeps eyes open". Grand Rapids Press. December 7, 1909. p. 14.
  14. ^ Editorial staff (1919). The Hartian 1919 (Yearbook). Hart High School. p. 28.
  15. ^ Editorial staff (1942). The Hartian 1942 (Yearbook). Hart High School. p. 21.