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
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
19.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Bear Lake High School — Students at Bear Lake High School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54.5% (2019) to 50.74% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (231) 864-3133
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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