Below Average
#2867 of 3,192 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
4.1
Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.1
Grades
4th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#2,867 of 3,192
In Fife Lake
#3 of 3
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
Forest Area Community Schools
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Forest Area Middle School
Middle School in Fife Lake · grades 4th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Forest Area High 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 Middle School
Forest Area Middle School is a public middle school in Fife Lake, MI, part of Forest Area Community Schools. Forest Area Middle School serves approximately 190 students, and covers grades 4th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Forest Area Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #2,867 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Forest Area Middle School show 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- MI avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
At 190 students, Forest Area Middle 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.
Forest Area Middle 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.
46% of students at Forest Area Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Forest Area Middle School — Students at Forest Area Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 38 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: 3.9/10.
How Forest Area Middle School Compares
See how Forest Area Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 East Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 14.3 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably 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 |
|---|---|
| Wilkinson Middle School Madison Heights, MI | 4.1 |
| Fulton Middle School Middleton, MI | 4.0 |
| TS Nurnberger Middle School Saint Louis, MI | 4.0 |
| Carson CityCrystal Upper ElementaryMiddle School Carson City, MI | 4.2 |
| Eau Claire Middle School Eau Claire, MI | 4.2 |
| David C Outwin Middle School Hesperia, MI | 3.9 |
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 ranks #2,867 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Forest Area Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Forest Area Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Forest Area Middle School has 26% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 45.8%
- Phone
- (231) 369-2884
Resources & Links
District
Forest Area Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 509
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,200
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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