Very Good
#572 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 18% in state
Harbor Beach Elementary School
Elementary School · Harbor Beach Community Schools
402 SOUTH 5TH ST, Harbor Beach, MI 48441
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
174
Student-Teacher
11.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harbor Beach
#1 of 3
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#363 of 1,602
In district
#1 of 3
Harbor Beach Community Schools
School environment
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Harbor Beach Elementary School
Harbor Beach Elementary School serves 174 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the remote rural community of Harbor Beach, Michigan. This regular public school has earned an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #5 out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 100th percentile for Michigan schools. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an excellent student-teacher ratio of 11.6 to 1, allowing for more individualized attention and smaller class sizes than many schools can offer.
This intimate learning environment appears to be paying dividends in the school's exceptional statewide ranking. Harbor Beach Elementary operates within a working-class community where the median household income is $50,353 and the poverty rate stands at 11.5 percent. While only 18 percent of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's outstanding performance suggests it's successfully serving students from diverse educational backgrounds.
The school sits in Huron County on South 5th Street, positioned within a ZIP code area of nearly 4,000 residents where median home values average $140,900. Harbor Beach Elementary thrives in this tight-knit rural Michigan community, where small-town values meet academic excellence.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 174 students, Harbor Beach Elementary 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, Harbor Beach Elementary 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
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Harbor Beach Elementary School — Students at Harbor Beach Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.2/10.
How Harbor Beach Elementary School Compares
See how Harbor Beach Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 33.99% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 47% (2019) to 45.68% (2022).
Location
402 SOUTH 5TH ST, Harbor Beach, MI 48441
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harbor Beach Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ubly Community Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Ubly), which scores notably higher. Another option is Adams Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Bad Axe), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Deckerville Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Deckerville), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harbor Beach, see our Harbor Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 28.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harbor Beach Middle School Harbor Beach | 0.0 mi | 2.4 |
| Harbor Beach Community High School Harbor Beach | 0.0 mi | 3.8 |
| OUR LADY OF LAKE HURON SCHOOL Harbor Beach | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Harbor Beach | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Eccles School Harbor Beach | 6.8 mi | — |
| Adams Elementary School Bad Axe | 10.0 mi | 8.5 |
| Verona Mills School Bad Axe | 11.5 mi | — |
| Ubly Community Elementary School Ubly | 16.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Ubly Community JrSr High School Ubly | 16.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Deckerville Elementary School Deckerville | 21.8 mi | 7.8 |
| Deckerville Community High School Deckerville | 21.8 mi | 5.0 |
| Church School Bad Axe | 16.6 mi | — |
| Big Burning School Bad Axe | 17.2 mi | — |
| Ascent High School Bad Axe | 17.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Bad Axe Elementary School Bad Axe | 18.0 mi | 6.9 |
| Bad Axe Middle School Bad Axe | 18.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Bad Axe High School Bad Axe | 18.0 mi | 4.4 |
| North Huron School Kinde | 18.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Huron Learning Center Bad Axe | 19.3 mi | 5.9 |
| CarsonvillePort Sanilac Learning Center Carsonville | 28.1 mi | 5.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48441 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$49,877
Median Home Value
$148,200
Median Rent
$700/mo
Population
3,867
College Educated
17.1%
Homeownership
82.9%
Avg Commute
18.2 min
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
45.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harbor Beach Elementary School has a median household income of $49,877. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $148,200, with a median rent of $700/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Bertha Neal School Durand, MI | 7.6 |
| Blair Elementary School Traverse City, MI | 7.6 |
| Henry Niedermeier Elementary School Newport, MI | 7.6 |
| LAKE MICHIGAN CATH. ELEM. SCHOOL Saint Joseph, MI | 7.6 |
| Patrick Hamilton Elementary Dowagiac, MI | 7.6 |
| ST BRIGID CATHOLIC SCHOOL Midland, MI | 7.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harbor Beach Elementary School
What grades does Harbor Beach Elementary School serve?
Harbor Beach Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Harbor Beach Elementary School?
Harbor Beach Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 174 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harbor Beach Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harbor Beach Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harbor Beach Elementary School rank in MI?
Harbor Beach Elementary School is ranked #572 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Harbor Beach Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harbor Beach Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Harbor Beach Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harbor Beach Elementary School has 34.4% math proficiency and 43.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harbor Beach Elementary School a charter school?
No, Harbor Beach Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harbor Beach Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Harbor Beach Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harbor Beach Elementary School?
58.0% of students at Harbor Beach Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 174
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 58.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Huron County
- Phone
- (989) 479-3261
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harbor Beach Community Schools- District Enrollment
- 477
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,941
- District Rank
- #1 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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