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Average

#1516 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 48% in state

Buchanan High School

High School · Buchanan Community Schools

401 WEST CHICAGO ST, Buchanan, MI 49107

Enrollment

524

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Buchanan

#5 of 5

public schools

Michigan high schools

#315 of 812

In district

#5 of 5

Buchanan Community Schools

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Buchanan High School

Buchanan High School serves 524 students in grades 8-12 in Buchanan, Michigan, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger performing schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranking #383 out of 3,204 Michigan schools, the school places in the 88th percentile statewide. The school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1 with 32 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, Buchanan High demonstrates solid performance in English Language Arts, with 68% of students achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an opportunity for growth, with 40% of students reaching proficiency standards. Located at 401 West Chicago Street in this Berrien County community, the school draws from a neighborhood where the median household income is $62,626 and median home values average $167,200.

The area maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 7.3%, though only 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting the school serves families from diverse educational backgrounds. Buchanan High School sits in a town on the fringe of an urban area within ZIP code 49107, which has a population of 10,534 residents, providing students with both small-town familiarity and access to broader metropolitan opportunities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.43 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+5.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12 pts
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)50%
vs. Expected+7.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness2.5Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,681

Buchanan High School — Students at Buchanan High School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

39.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.0%
School
State
35.5%
ELA Proficiency 67.8%
School
State
52.2%

Based on 8 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
44%
ELA
65%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
62%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
72%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Buchanan High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in MI
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
39%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
32 teachers

Location

401 WEST CHICAGO ST, Buchanan, MI 49107

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Buchanan High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Career Academy High School (rated 6.3/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby South Bend), with a very similar rating. Another option is Brandywine Innovation Academy (rated 5.4/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Niles), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Berrien Springs High School (rated 5.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Berrien Springs), a more accessible option. For more schools in Buchanan, see our Buchanan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Buchanan Virtual Academy Buchanan 0.0 mi 6.9
Buchanan Step Up Buchanan 0.0 mi
Ottawa Elementary School Buchanan 0.4 mi 7.0
Moccasin Elementary School Buchanan 0.6 mi 8.3
Buchanan Middle School Buchanan 0.8 mi 6.8
Ballard Elementary School Niles 4.5 mi 5.7
NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles 5.0 mi 6.4
Career Academy High School South Bend 6.9 mi 6.3
Career Academy Middle School South Bend 6.9 mi 9.5
ST MARY SCHOOL Niles 5.4 mi 7.9
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN ACADEMY South Bend 7.2 mi 6.8
Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles 6.0 mi 5.4
Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles 6.0 mi
Northside Child Development Center Niles 6.3 mi
Berrien Springs Virtual Academy Berrien Springs 8.3 mi 7.7
Berrien Springs Middle School Berrien Springs 8.4 mi 6.9
Berrien Springs Discovery Academy Berrien Sprgs 8.4 mi 3.7
Berrien Springs High School Berrien Springs 8.5 mi 5.1
Mars Elementary School Berrien Springs 8.5 mi 7.5
VILLAGE SDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Berrien Springs 8.5 mi 5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49107 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$65,118

Median Home Value

$174,500

Median Rent

$987/mo

Population

10,351

College Educated

20.7%

Homeownership

79.2%

Avg Commute

22.1 min

Poverty Rate

5.9%

Median Age

44.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Buchanan High School has a median household income of $65,118. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,500, with a median rent of $987/month. The local poverty rate of 5.9% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Bark RiverHarris JrSr High School Harris, MI 6.4
Clarenceville High School Livonia, MI 6.4
Denby High School Detroit, MI 6.4
Hart High School Hart, MI 6.4
Marine City High School Marine City, MI 6.4
Ogemaw Heights High School West Branch, MI 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Buchanan High School

What grades does Buchanan High School serve?

Buchanan High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Buchanan High School?

Buchanan High School has an enrollment of approximately 524 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Buchanan High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Buchanan High School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Buchanan High School rank in MI?

Buchanan High School is ranked #1516 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Buchanan High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Buchanan High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Buchanan High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Buchanan High School has 40.0% math proficiency and 67.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Buchanan High School a charter school?

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

Is Buchanan High School a Title I school?

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

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

39.1% of students at Buchanan 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

City Safety
High (1,901/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Buchanan). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
524
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
32
Free/Reduced Lunch
39.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Berrien County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Buchanan Community Schools
District Enrollment
1,558
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,437
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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