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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.9 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics7.2Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45.7%
Math vs. State Avg-7.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+3.8 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+1.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile59th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,680

Harbor Beach Elementary School — Students at Harbor Beach Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 34.4%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 43.9%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
35.6%
ELA
46%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.6/10
82th percentile in MI
Academic
7.2/10
7.2/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
43 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (638/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harbor Beach). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harbor Beach Community Schools
District Enrollment
477
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,941
District Rank
#1 of 3

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 methodology

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