Average
#1744 of 3,192 schools in MI
Forest Area High School
High School · Forest Area Community Schools
7741 SHIPPY RD SOUTHWEST, Fife Lake, MI 49633
Enrollment
172
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
172
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
6.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#1,744 of 3,192
In Fife Lake
#1 of 3
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Forest Area Community Schools
Academic growth
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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Forest Area High School
High School in Fife Lake · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest Area Middle School
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Fife Lake Elementary School
2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Forest Area High School
Forest Area High School is a public high school in Fife Lake, MI, part of Forest Area Community Schools. Forest Area High School serves approximately 172 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest Area High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,744 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Forest Area High School show 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
- This school 6.1 · Average
- MI avg 6.5
What Parents Should Know
At 172 students, Forest Area High School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Forest Area High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Forest Area High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Forest Area High School — Students at Forest Area High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.0/10.
How Forest Area High School Compares
See how Forest Area High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
7741 SHIPPY RD SOUTHWEST, Fife Lake, MI 49633
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Forest Area High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Manton Consolidated High School (rated 6.9/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Manton), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Kalkaska High School (rated 6.4/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Kalkaska), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kingsley Area High School (rated 6.4/10, 11.1 miles away, in nearby Kingsley), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fife Lake, see our Fife Lake schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.4 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49633 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,567
Median Home Value
$174,000
Median Rent
$1,110/mo
Population
3,325
College Educated
21.9%
Homeownership
90.4%
Avg Commute
38.6 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
51
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Allegan Alternative High School Allegan, MI | 6.1 |
| Battle Creek Area Learning Center Springfield, MI | 6.1 |
| Detroit Public Safety Academy Detroit, MI | 6.1 |
| Pittsford Area High School Pittsford, MI | 6.1 |
| Potterville High School Potterville, MI | 6.1 |
| WAY Michigan Detroit, MI | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Forest Area High School
What grades does Forest Area High School serve?
Forest Area High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Forest Area High School?
Forest Area High School has an enrollment of approximately 172 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Area High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Forest Area High School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Forest Area High School rank in MI?
Forest Area High School ranks #1,744 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Forest Area High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Area High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Forest Area High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest Area High School has 19% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).
Is Forest Area High School a charter school?
No, Forest Area High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Forest Area High School a Title I school?
No, Forest Area High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Area High School?
58.1% of students at Forest Area 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 172
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Kalkaska County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 48.8%
- Phone
- (231) 369-2884
- 4-Year Graduation
- 74.5%
Resources & Links
District
Forest Area Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,200
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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