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Average

#1675 of 3,190 schools in MI

Bear Lake High School

High School · Bear Lake Schools

7748 CODY ST, Bear Lake, MI 49614

Enrollment

118

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

6.2

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bear Lake

#1 of 2

public schools

Michigan high schools

#356 of 812

In district

#1 of 2

Bear Lake Schools

Equity

7.4 / 10

Strong

About Bear Lake High School

Bear Lake High School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Bear Lake, Michigan. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, it has an enrollment of 118 students with a student-teacher ratio of about 20:1, making for smaller class sizes and more individual attention from teachers. The academic performance at Bear Lake High School shows room for improvement, as reflected in its MySchoolScout Rating of 5.4 out of 10 and state ranking of #1552 among Michigan schools.

In terms of proficiency rates, 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 30% meet these standards in Math. Despite the challenges highlighted by the current performance metrics, Bear Lake High School is a community-focused institution that values each student’s development and growth. The school's setting amidst rural Michigan provides a tight-knit environment where teachers and students form strong bonds, fostering a supportive atmosphere for learning and personal achievement.

Bear Lake High School stands as an integral part of its remote, rural community in Bear Lake.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 118 students, Bear Lake High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Bear Lake High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.01 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.7%
Math vs. State Avg-0.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.4 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected+3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,466

Bear Lake High School — Students at Bear Lake High School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.8%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
47.6%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
50.1%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Bear Lake High School Compares

See how Bear Lake High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in MI
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
6 teachers

Location

7748 CODY ST, Bear Lake, MI 49614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bear Lake High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Casman Alternative Academy (rated 7.3/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Manistee), which scores notably higher. Another option is Frankfort High School (rated 6.0/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Frankfort), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Benzie Central Sr High School (rated 5.0/10, 14.5 miles away, in nearby Benzonia), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bear Lake, see our Bear Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Bear Lake Elementary School Bear Lake 0.0 mi 4.3
PLEASANTVIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Kaleva 3.8 mi
Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama 4.7 mi 7.8
Brethren Middle School Brethren 10.1 mi 8.3
Brethren High School Brethren 10.1 mi 4.2
KND Elementary Brethren 10.1 mi 4.5
Manistee ISD Center Programs Manistee 12.4 mi 7.9
Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia 14.1 mi 6.0
Benzie Academy Benzonia 14.4 mi 4.7
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville 11.4 mi 4.5
Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia 14.5 mi 5.0
Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia 14.5 mi 6.7
Frankfort High School Frankfort 15.5 mi 6.0
Frankfort Elementary School Frankfort 15.5 mi 8.2
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Manistee 14.6 mi 6.0
Casman Alternative Academy Manistee 15.0 mi 7.3
John F Kennedy Elem School Manistee 15.9 mi 7.3
Thomas Jefferson Elem School Manistee 15.3 mi 5.1
Manistee Middle High School Manistee 15.8 mi 4.8
Lake Ann Elementary School Interlochen 23.1 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,389

Median Home Value

$203,900

Median Rent

$963/mo

Population

2,903

College Educated

29.4%

Homeownership

95.4%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.8%

Median Age

53.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bear Lake High School has a median household income of $71,389. It is an area where 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $203,900, with a median rent of $963/month. The local poverty rate of 7.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County West Branch, MI 6.2
Cadillac Innovation High School Cadillac, MI 6.2
Constantine Alternative Education Constantine, MI 6.2
Fulton High School Middleton, MI 6.2
Godwin Heights Learning Center Grand Rapids, MI 6.2
Harbor High School White Lake, MI 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bear Lake High School

What grades does Bear Lake High School serve?

Bear Lake High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Bear Lake High School?

Bear Lake High School has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bear Lake High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bear Lake High School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bear Lake High School rank in MI?

Bear Lake High School is ranked #1675 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Bear Lake High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bear Lake High School has a composite rating of 6.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bear Lake High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bear Lake High School has 29.8% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bear Lake High School a charter school?

No, Bear Lake High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bear Lake High School a Title I school?

No, Bear Lake High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bear Lake High School?

59.3% of students at Bear Lake High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (353/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
6
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Manistee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bear Lake Schools
District Enrollment
284
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,914
District Rank
#1 of 2

Other Schools in This District

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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