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Average

#1578 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 49% in state

Charlton Heston Academy

School · Charlton Heston Academy

1350 N SAINT HELEN RD, Saint Helen, MI 48656

Charter

Enrollment

752

Student-Teacher

10.6:1

Score

6.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#167 of 279

School environment

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Charlton Heston Academy

Charlton Heston Academy serves 752 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Saint Helen, Michigan. This charter school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 38th out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 99th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10. The academy maintains a notably small student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1 with 71 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and strong student-educator relationships.

As a public charter school, Charlton Heston Academy offers families an alternative educational option while serving students across all grade levels from early childhood through high school graduation. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $39,000 and median home values are $88,500. With only 8% of area residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 20.1%, the academy's exceptional state ranking demonstrates its commitment to helping students achieve academic success regardless of their economic background.

Located on North Saint Helen Road, Charlton Heston Academy sits in Roscommon County's rural landscape near the town of Saint Helen, providing students with a close-knit educational environment where they can thrive academically while remaining connected to their northern Michigan community.

What Parents Should Know

Charlton Heston Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Charlton Heston Academy 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 Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.6 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.5%
Math vs. State Avg-28.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13.4 pts
Overall Proficiency21%
Expected (poverty-adj.)19%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,314

Charlton Heston Academy — Students at Charlton Heston Academy score 21% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

88.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.1%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 28.4%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 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
27%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
13.2%
ELA
28%

* 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: 3.8/10.

How Charlton Heston Academy Compares

See how Charlton Heston Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
51th percentile in MI
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
71 teachers

Location

1350 N SAINT HELEN RD, Saint Helen, MI 48656

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Charlton Heston Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. COOR Special Educational Center (rated 9.1/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Roscommon), which scores notably higher. Another option is SKEELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Gladwin), a more accessible option. Additionally, IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby Roscommon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Saint Helen, see our Saint Helen schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
ST JOSEPH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Branch 9.4 mi 5.4
Surline Middle School West Branch 9.9 mi 5.8
Surline Elementary School West Branch 9.9 mi 5.4
Roscommon Elementary School Roscommon 14.1 mi 4.5
Roscommon Middle School Roscommon 14.2 mi 5.8
Roscommon High School Roscommon 14.3 mi 4.4
OUR LADY OF THE LAKE REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Prudenville 13.0 mi 7.2
Ogemaw Heights High School West Branch 14.2 mi 6.4
COOR Special Educational Center Roscommon 16.0 mi 9.1
Rose City School West Branch 14.8 mi 9.2
IMMANUEL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Roscommon 15.9 mi 4.9
Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County West Branch 15.3 mi 6.2
SOUTHWELL AMISH SCHOOL Gladwin 20.9 mi
LILAC GROVE AMISH SCHOOL Gladwin 20.8 mi
SKEELS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Gladwin 20.3 mi 5.0
Houghton Lake JrSr High School Houghton Lake 16.2 mi 5.0
Collins Elementary School Houghton Lake 16.4 mi 7.0
Gladwin High School Gladwin 25.2 mi 4.1
Gladwin Elementary School Gladwin 25.5 mi 6.3
Gladwin Intermediate School Gladwin 25.5 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48656 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,417

Median Home Value

$108,800

Median Rent

$729/mo

Population

3,872

College Educated

10.2%

Homeownership

85.9%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

21.5%

Median Age

57.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Charlton Heston Academy has a median household income of $43,417. It is a community where 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,800, with a median rent of $729/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Keys Grace Academy Madison Heights, MI 6.3
Francis Reh PSA Saginaw, MI 6.5
The New Standard Academy Flint, MI 6.1
Buckley Community Schools Buckley, MI 6.6
Center Line Preparatory Academy Center Line, MI 6.6
LANSING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lansing, MI 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Charlton Heston Academy

What grades does Charlton Heston Academy serve?

Charlton Heston Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Charlton Heston Academy?

Charlton Heston Academy has an enrollment of approximately 752 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Charlton Heston Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Charlton Heston Academy is 10.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Charlton Heston Academy rank in MI?

Charlton Heston Academy is ranked #1578 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Charlton Heston Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Charlton Heston Academy has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Charlton Heston Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Charlton Heston Academy has 15.1% math proficiency and 28.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Charlton Heston Academy a charter school?

Yes, Charlton Heston Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Charlton Heston Academy a Title I school?

No, Charlton Heston Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Charlton Heston Academy?

88.7% of students at Charlton Heston Academy 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 (457/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
752
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
71
Free/Reduced Lunch
88.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Roscommon County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Charlton Heston Academy
District Enrollment
753
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,258
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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