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Average

#1535 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 48% in state

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School

High School · Farwell Area Schools

399 EAST MICHIGAN ST, Farwell, MI 48622

Enrollment

52

Student-Teacher

26:1

Score

6.4

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Farwell

#2 of 4

public schools

Michigan high schools

#321 of 812

In district

#2 of 4

Farwell Area Schools

Academic growth

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Farwell Timberland Alternative High School

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School is an alternative high school located in the remote rural setting of Farwell, Michigan. Serving students from eighth through twelfth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 52 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 26:1 with two full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.2 out of 10, placing it at #2281 among Michigan’s 3204 schools in the 29th percentile.

Academically, Farwell Timberland Alternative High School has an overall score of 3.5 out of 10, indicating there is room for improvement and growth in student performance. Specifically, 28% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA), while only 18% achieve proficiency or above in math. Despite its challenges, the school offers a supportive environment tailored to meet the unique needs of its diverse student body.

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School is situated in a rural area where community connections and personal attention play key roles in fostering student development.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 52 students, Farwell Timberland Alternative 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Farwell Timberland Alternative High School is 26:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Farwell Timberland Alternative 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 Progress9.4Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)20%
vs. Expected+4.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio26:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,980

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School — Students at Farwell Timberland Alternative High School score 25% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

86.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
10%
ELA
30%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%

* 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: 9.4/10.

How Farwell Timberland Alternative High School Compares

See how Farwell Timberland Alternative High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
52th percentile in MI
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
87%
Teaching Staff
26:1 student-teacher ratio
2 teachers

Location

399 EAST MICHIGAN ST, Farwell, MI 48622

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Farwell Timberland Alternative High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Clare Pioneer High School (rated 7.6/10, 6.2 miles away, in nearby Clare), which scores notably higher. Another option is Clare High School (rated 7.2/10, 7.2 miles away, in nearby Clare), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Farwell High School (rated 5.8/10, 2.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Farwell, see our Farwell schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Farwell Elementary School Farwell 2.3 mi 8.7
Farwell High School Farwell 2.4 mi 5.8
Farwell Middle School Farwell 2.5 mi 5.1
GREAT LAKES MENNONITE SCHOOL Clare 6.1 mi 4.7
Clare Pioneer High School Clare 6.2 mi 7.6
Clare Primary School Clare 7.1 mi 4.4
Clare Middle School Clare 7.2 mi 6.2
Clare High School Clare 7.2 mi 7.2
ClareGladwin Area School Clare 10.1 mi 8.9
EAST DOVER SCHOOL Clare 9.1 mi 2.1
Harrison Middle School Harrison 11.7 mi 4.8
Harrison Community High School Harrison 11.7 mi 5.5
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL Mount Pleasant 12.7 mi 4.5
Weidman Elementary School Weidman 12.2 mi 9.4
Beal City Elementary School Mt. Pleasant 12.8 mi 6.7
Beal City High School Mount Pleasant 12.8 mi 5.1
Robert M Larson Elementary School Harrison 12.0 mi 5.2
Harrison Alternative Education Harrison 12.1 mi 7.4
SHADY LAWN AMISH PAROCHIAL SCHOOL Clare 12.7 mi
Barryton Elementary School Barryton 14.2 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48622 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,500

Median Home Value

$123,600

Median Rent

$754/mo

Population

5,970

College Educated

18.2%

Homeownership

88.7%

Avg Commute

23.7 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

49.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Farwell Timberland Alternative High School has a median household income of $57,500. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,600, with a median rent of $754/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
ACES Academy Alpena, MI 6.4
Westwood North Academy Inkster, MI 6.4
Holland Virtual Tech High School Holland, MI 6.5
OvidElsie Comm EdAlt HS Elsie, MI 6.5
BRIGHTMONT ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM Birmingham, MI 6.3
Gogebic Co Community Education Ironwood, MI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Farwell Timberland Alternative High School

What grades does Farwell Timberland Alternative High School serve?

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Farwell Timberland Alternative High School?

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School has an enrollment of approximately 52 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Farwell Timberland Alternative High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Farwell Timberland Alternative High School is 26:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Farwell Timberland Alternative High School rank in MI?

Farwell Timberland Alternative High School is ranked #1535 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Farwell Timberland Alternative High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Farwell Timberland Alternative 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 Farwell Timberland Alternative High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Farwell Timberland Alternative High School has 17.5% math proficiency and 27.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Farwell Timberland Alternative High School a charter school?

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

Is Farwell Timberland Alternative High School a Title I school?

No, Farwell Timberland Alternative High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Farwell Timberland Alternative High School?

86.5% of students at Farwell Timberland Alternative 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher Ratio
26:1
Teachers (FTE)
2
Free/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
Type
alternative
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Clare County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Farwell Area Schools
District Enrollment
1,011
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,345
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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