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Excellent

#53 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 2% in state

Hale Area School

School · Hale Area Schools

311 N WASHINGTON ST, Hale, MI 48739

Enrollment

359

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#53 of 3,192

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Excellent

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Hale Area School

9.0/10

School in Hale · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pinecrest School

Nearby

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Whittemoreprescott Area Elementary

3.6/10

11.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Hale Area School

Hale Area School is a public school in Hale, MI, part of Hale Area Schools. Hale Area School serves approximately 359 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Hale Area School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #53 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Hale Area School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.8 pts above MI schools
  • This school 9.0 · Excellent
  • MI avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Hale Area 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.

35% of students at Hale Area 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change+0.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.8% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.9 pts
Overall Proficiency43% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)28% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+15.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College Readiness9.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,895
Chronic Absenteeism34.8%

Hale Area School — Students at Hale Area School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
34.4% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 44.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
44.3% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 40 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
15%
ELA
54.5%
2010
Math
24.5%
ELA
54.5%
2011
Math
5%
ELA
24.5%
2012
Math
5%
ELA
44.5%
2013
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%
2014
Math
10%
ELA
49.5%
2015
Math
24.5%
ELA
64.5%
2016
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
10%
2018
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2019
Math
30%
ELA
49.5%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
39.9%
ELA
46.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Hale Area School Compares

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

Overall Score
9.0/10
98th percentile in MI
Academic
8.3/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·8 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 7.8/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Tawas City), a more accessible option. Additionally, Fairview School (rated 7.6/10, 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 mi
School Distance Rating
PINECREST SCHOOL Hale 2.0 mi
WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary Whittemore 11.2 mi 3.6
WhittemorePrescott JrSr High School Whittemore 11.2 mi 7.1
Iosco RESA Special Education Tawas City 13.0 mi 7.8
Tawas Area High School Tawas City 15.2 mi 6.8
Tawas Area Middle School Tawas City 15.2 mi 5.5
Clara B Bolen Elementary School Tawas City 15.3 mi 7.1
Alternative Educational Academy of Iosco County Tawas City 15.9 mi 5.2
Rose City School West Branch 15.8 mi 9.5
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL East Tawas 16.8 mi 5.8
Ogemaw Heights High School West Branch 16.6 mi 7.0
Alternative Educational Academy of Ogemaw County West Branch 17.7 mi 4.6
Au GresSims Elementary School Au Gres 23.7 mi 8.3
Au GresSims High School Au Gres 23.7 mi 7.1
Au GresSims Middle School Au Gres 23.7 mi 7.0
StandishSterling Central JrSr High School Standish 26.4 mi 7.1
StandishSterling Central Elementary School Standish 26.7 mi 6.2
Sterling Elementary School Sterling 26.3 mi 4.7
Fairview School Fairview 26.8 mi 7.6
Richardson Elementary School Oscoda 21.2 mi 8.0

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cedarville School Cedarville, MI 8.9
MICHIGAN ISLAMIC ACADEMY Ann Arbor, MI 9.1
Pentwater Public School Pentwater, MI 9.1
Detroit International Academy for Young Women Detroit, MI 8.5
Lake LindenHubbell Schools Lake Linden, MI 8.4
Livingston Classical Academy Whitmore Lake, MI 8.4

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 ranks #53 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Hale Area School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hale Area School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 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 Hale Area School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Hale Area School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
38 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
40 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.8%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

Hale Area Schools
District Enrollment
359
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,895
District Rank
#1 of 1

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