Beaver Island Community School

Beaver Island Community School serves 53 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the remote setting of Beaver Island, Michigan. This small public school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1 with 7 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive highly individualized attention. The school has earned strong recognition statewide, ranking #76 out of 3,204 Michigan schools and placing in the 98th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10.

This impressive performance reflects the school's ability to serve its small student body effectively despite its remote location. As the only school serving the island community, Beaver Island Community School provides education for all grade levels in one location, fostering unique cross-age relationships and mentorship opportunities. The surrounding community of ZIP code 49782 has a population of just 657 residents, with a median household income of $69,063 and median home values of $319,000.

Nearly half of local adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the area maintains a low poverty rate of 6.6%. The school sits in the heart of this close-knit island community in Charlevoix County, where families enjoy the unique advantages and challenges of rural island living surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan.

With an enrollment of 53 students, Beaver Island Community 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.6:1, Beaver Island Community School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Beaver Island Community 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.