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
Enrollment
190
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
4.3
Grades
4th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 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 16 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: 3.2/10.
How Forest Area Middle School Compares
See how Forest Area Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 16.14% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22.86% (2022).
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 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
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (231) 369-2884
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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