Sparta Public Schools Revenue and Competitors

Paralleling West Michigan's Fruit Ridge, the Sparta Area boasts an atmosphere of tranquility and small town charm. Conveniently located 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids, Sparta offers a diverse labor market,, employment opportunities, quality schools and abundant housing potential. Perhaps, most notably, are the apple trees covering thousands of acres of rolling farmland all dedicated to the third largest apple industry in the country. Surrounding Sparta is some of the most scenic and peaceful countryside in Kent County. We are proud to welcome you to Sparta, a great place to grow and itself, an ever changing and growing community!! THE FRUIT RIDGE The Ridge, a Great Place to Grow Apples! The Apple on Sparta's water tower reminds natives and informs tourists that Sparta is indeed Michigan's Apple Town. Averaging 800 feet above sea level and enjoying 163 frost free days with 28 inches of rain the Ridge is an environment unique for fruit production. In addition, the Ridge has the largest concentration of farm fruit storage in the world. The first air cooled, the first refrigerated and the first Controlled Atmosphere storage are all located within five miles of Sparta. Total storage consists of 4400 rooms with a capacity of 12,000,000 bushels. It has been estimated the farm gate value of the Ridge production to be between 13 and 18 million dollars contributing 30-40 million in related community activity. The mother tree of the Paula Red variety, a fall apple planted in all areas of the world, stands proudly on a Sparta township farm. There is no better place to view the natural beauty of Michigan's State Flower, the Apple Blossom, than along the roads around Sparta during the spring days in May. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY Located in the heart of Western Michigan, Sparta is centered in an area rich in the diversity of its manufacturing and distribution. Within 30 miles of Sparta are the world's leading office furniture manufacturers. The leading industrial market in Western Michigan continues to be automotive. Many of the components and supplies supporting the auto industry come from this side of the state. Other well-known major employers within a 30 mile radius of Sparta include: Amway Corporation Bissel Corporation Brunswick Corporation General Motors Haworth Herman Miller Lifesavers Meijer Sparta Stores Steelcase Teledyne Corp. Trendway Wolverine Shoe The diversity of Sparta's own manufacturers too, is extensive. The companies are mostly small, employing 3-150, while collectively employing over 1,000 people. These companies are: AE Goetze - one of the world's leading piston ring manufacturers AppliDyne - Eng & manufacturing of automated assembly equipment Continental ID - Screen printer of decals and posters General Formulation - Adhesive coating and lamination of films Handy Wacks - Deli sheets food wrap wax paper Harvest Corp. - Cabinet door manufacturers Markson Tool - Metal stamping Pak Sak - Plastic bag extruders, printers, and converters Cascade Die Casting - Aluminum injection molder Ridgeview Stamping - Metal stamping Sparta Foundry - Speciality sand castings iron foundry Spartan Distributors - Toro distribution for MI/Turf and Irrigation equipment Spartan Graphics - Process print bulletins, presentation folders, etc. Spec Tool - Precision tools Tech Lab Clothes - Speciality protective clothing Tesa Tape, Inc. - Adhesive tape manufacturer Manufacturers located in Sparta have the advantage of tapping into a workforce known for its strong work ethic. And our proximity to the major metropolitan area of Grand Rapids means that employers and employees have numerous options as to where they live and work. Sparta's retail offerings run the gamut - from banks to beauty salons, taxidermists, to tire dealers. We're a full service community with over 350 businesses and an active Chamber of Commerce. We're a community where retailers work together-decorating the downtown at Christmas, promoting our summer "Town & Country" festival, where shopping and service is done on a first-name basis. Business and Industry. Small town advantages. Big town access. Sparta offers both to all who embrace the community. SCHOOL Sparta's schools offer the best of both worlds. Reflecting the values of the community, Sparta schools provide students with a safe and orderly environment where the emphasis is on mastering the basics. Complimenting the clearly defined expectations for students in reading, writing, mathematics, and social studies is the latest in technology. Computer laboratories offer students real-world technology experiences. A technology committee oversees the delivery of software that compliments the curriculum, instructing staff and students alike in the finer points of the computer arts. Sparta's teachers pride themselves on meeting the individual student's needs. The district is an organization that recognizes that each student can flourish in a setting where caring adults set high expectations and take time for the individual student. Complimenting the school staff is the noteworthy commitment of the school volunteer community. Parents are present in Sparta Schools - as classroom helpers, hosts to student who are job shadowing, as chaperones, and as sports, academic and music boosters. The Sparta School System is a great place for a kid to be a kid. Without much of the peer pressure facing students in more urban schools, Sparta's students can focus on the job of learning, and on developing their potential. In addition, we are a district big enough to offer a variety of course work or curricular options but small enough to provide abundant opportunity for students to participate in music, athletics, and drama. Offering a quality educational experience and a smorgasbord of extracurricular opportunities, Sparta Schools truly do offer students and parents the best of both worlds.