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
Enrollment
52
Student-Teacher
26:1
Score
6.4
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (989) 588-7219
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Farwell Area Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,011
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,345
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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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