Excellent
#340 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 11% in state
Hale Area School
School · Hale Area Schools
311 N WASHINGTON ST, Hale, MI 48739
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
359
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#47 of 279
Academic growth
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Hale Area School
Hale Area School serves 359 students from kindergarten through 12th grade in the small community of Hale, Michigan. This regular public school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more personalized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.0 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking in the 78th percentile statewide at #718 out of 3,204 Michigan schools.
Students show steady progress in core subjects, with 46% achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while mathematics presents opportunities for continued growth with 37% reaching proficiency standards. Hale Area School operates within a tight-knit rural community where families have a median household income of $43,774 and median home values of $155,800. The surrounding ZIP code area has a population of 3,592 residents, with 17% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 12.5%.
Located on North Washington Street, the school serves as an educational anchor in this remote rural setting of Iosco County, where students benefit from small-town values and close community connections that characterize northern Michigan's forested landscape.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Hale Area 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hale Area School — Students at Hale Area School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 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: 8.7/10.
How Hale Area School Compares
See how Hale Area School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 30% (2019) to 40.58% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 49.5% (2019) to 45.83% (2022).
Location
311 N WASHINGTON ST, Hale, MI 48739
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hale Area School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Iosco RESA Special Education (rated 8.0/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Tawas City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Fairview School (rated 6.5/10, 26.8 miles away, in nearby Fairview), a more accessible option. For more schools in Hale, see our Hale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48739 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,768
Median Home Value
$170,600
Median Rent
$798/mo
Population
3,511
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
90.5%
Avg Commute
32 min
Poverty Rate
17.6%
Median Age
60.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hale Area School has a median household income of $47,768. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,600, with a median rent of $798/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.6%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| CALHOUN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Battle Creek, MI | 8.1 |
| Jackson ISD Local Based Special Education Programs Jackson, MI | 8.1 |
| TRI-UNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Wyoming, MI | 8.1 |
| Ellsworth Community School Ellsworth, MI | 8.2 |
| Alanson Public School Alanson, MI | 7.9 |
| GENESEE ACADEMY Swartz Creek, MI | 7.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hale Area School
What grades does Hale Area School serve?
Hale Area School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Hale Area School?
Hale Area School has an enrollment of approximately 359 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hale Area School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hale Area School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hale Area School rank in MI?
Hale Area School is ranked #340 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Hale Area School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hale Area School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Hale Area School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hale Area School has 37.4% math proficiency and 45.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hale Area School a charter school?
No, Hale Area School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hale Area School a Title I school?
No, Hale Area School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hale Area School?
74.9% of students at Hale Area 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 359
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Iosco County
- Phone
- (989) 728-3551
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Hale Area Schools- District Enrollment
- 359
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,895
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.