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Below Average

#2919 of 3,190 schools in MI

Forest Area Middle School

Middle School · Forest Area Community Schools

7741 SHIPPY RD SOUTHWEST, Fife Lake, MI 49633

Enrollment

190

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

4.3

Grades

4th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fife Lake

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#459 of 497

In district

#3 of 3

Forest Area Community Schools

School environment

7.7 / 10

Very strong

About Forest Area Middle School

Forest Area Middle School is a rural public middle school located in Fife Lake, Michigan. Serving students from fourth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 190 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 12 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Forest Area Middle School is currently rated 2.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 8th percentile among Michigan schools.

In terms of proficiency rates, only 26% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 17% are proficient or above in Math. While there is room for academic growth, Forest Area Middle School focuses on providing a supportive learning environment where each student can develop their skills and interests. The school’s rural setting offers a close-knit community feel, with opportunities for students to engage with the natural surroundings and local resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 190 students, Forest Area Middle 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.

Located in a rural area, Forest Area Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.15 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.1Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.9%
Math vs. State Avg-21.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.9 pts
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile13th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,953

Forest Area Middle School — Students at Forest Area Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 16.8%
School
State
33.1%
ELA Proficiency 26.4%
School
State
44.7%

Based on 16 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
22%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
15.9%
ELA
23.6%

* 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: 3.2/10.

How Forest Area Middle School Compares

See how Forest Area Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.3/10
9th percentile in MI
Academic
3.1/10
3.1/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

7741 SHIPPY RD SOUTHWEST, Fife Lake, MI 49633

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Forest Area Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Kingsley Area Middle School (rated 7.8/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Kingsley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Kalkaska Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Kalkaska), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Manton Consolidated Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 14.2 miles away, in nearby Manton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fife Lake, see our Fife Lake schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Forest Area High School Fife Lake 0.0 mi 5.7
Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake 2.9 mi 5.2
Woodland School Traverse City 8.6 mi 8.0
Kalkaska Middle School Kalkaska 10.9 mi 6.5
Kalkaska High School Kalkaska 11.1 mi 5.6
Kalkaska Elementary School Kalkaska 11.1 mi 7.7
Mill Creek Elementary School Williamsburg 12.5 mi 8.5
Manton Consolidated Middle School Manton 14.2 mi 6.1
Manton Consolidated High School Manton 14.2 mi 5.6
Manton Consolidated Elem School Manton 14.2 mi 5.5
Courtade Elementary School Traverse City 11.8 mi 7.2
Kingsley Area High School Kingsley 11.1 mi 4.1
Kingsley Area Middle School Kingsley 11.4 mi 7.8
Kingsley Area Elementary School Kingsley 11.4 mi 6.4
Rapid City Elementary School Rapid City 16.1 mi 8.5
East Middle School Traverse City 14.0 mi 5.9
Grand Traverse Academy Traverse City 14.3 mi 5.3
Cherry Knoll Elementary School Traverse City 14.2 mi 6.0
ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON MIDDLE SCHOOL Traverse City 14.3 mi 5.3
Crawford School Kalkaska 14.4 mi 6.4

Neighborhood 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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Forest Area Middle School has a median household income of $69,567. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,000, with a median rent of $1,110/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute in the area is 39 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Merrill Middle School Merrill, MI 4.3
TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis, MI 4.2
Bentley Middle School Burton, MI 4.1
Kent City Middle School Kent City, MI 4.5
Marcellus Middle School Marcellus, MI 4.1
Mount Clemens Middle School Mount Clemens, MI 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Forest Area Middle School

What grades does Forest Area Middle School serve?

Forest Area Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.

How many students attend Forest Area Middle School?

Forest Area Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 190 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Forest Area Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Forest Area Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Forest Area Middle School rank in MI?

Forest Area Middle School is ranked #2919 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Forest Area Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Forest Area Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Forest Area Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Forest Area Middle School has 16.8% math proficiency and 26.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Forest Area Middle School a charter school?

No, Forest Area Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Forest Area Middle School a Title I school?

No, Forest Area Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Forest Area Middle School?

64.7% of students at Forest Area Middle 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

County Safety
Elevated (1,330/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Kalkaska County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Forest Area Community Schools
District Enrollment
509
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,200
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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