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Needs Improvement

#3187 of 3,190 schools in MI

Harbor Beach Middle School

Middle School · Harbor Beach Community Schools

402 SOUTH 5TH ST, Harbor Beach, MI 48441

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

25:1

Score

2.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Harbor Beach

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#497 of 497

In district

#3 of 3

Harbor Beach Community Schools

About Harbor Beach Middle School

Harbor Beach Middle School is a small, rural middle school located in Harbor Beach, Michigan. Serving students from sixth through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 100 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 25:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school's remote setting offers a close-knit community atmosphere where students can receive individual attention.

While Harbor Beach Middle School currently ranks lower in academic performance compared to other schools in Michigan, the school focuses on fostering student development and growth. With an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 36% and Math proficiency at 26%, there is room for improvement but also a strong commitment from educators to support their students. The school's setting in a rural area provides a unique environment that encourages community involvement and personal connections between staff and students, making it a supportive place for young adolescents.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Harbor Beach 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Harbor Beach Middle School is 25:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Harbor Beach 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 metrics
Student Progress1.5Significantly Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28.1%
Math vs. State Avg-8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.9 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-19.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,680

Harbor Beach Middle School — Students at Harbor Beach Middle School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

48%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 26.5%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 36.0%
School
State
45.2%

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

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
21.2%
ELA
28%

* 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: 1.5/10.

How Harbor Beach Middle School Compares

See how Harbor Beach Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.4/10
0th percentile in MI
Academic
3.4/10
3.4/10
Growth
1.5/10
Below average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
48%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
4 teachers

Location

402 SOUTH 5TH ST, Harbor Beach, MI 48441

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harbor Beach Middle School may also want to explore other middle 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 notably higher. Additionally, Deckerville Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 21.8 miles away, in nearby Deckerville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harbor Beach, see our Harbor Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Harbor Beach Community High School Harbor Beach 0.0 mi 3.8
Harbor Beach Elementary School Harbor Beach 0.0 mi 7.6
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 Middle 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
BOWEN CREEK SCHOOL Quincy, MI 2.6
Central Middle School Iron Mountain, MI 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harbor Beach Middle School

What grades does Harbor Beach Middle School serve?

Harbor Beach Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Harbor Beach Middle School?

Harbor Beach Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harbor Beach Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harbor Beach Middle School is 25:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Harbor Beach Middle School rank in MI?

Harbor Beach Middle School is ranked #3187 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Harbor Beach Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harbor Beach Middle School has a composite rating of 2.4 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 Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harbor Beach Middle School has 26.5% math proficiency and 36.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Harbor Beach Middle School a charter school?

No, Harbor Beach Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Harbor Beach Middle School a Title I school?

No, Harbor Beach Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harbor Beach Middle School?

48.0% of students at Harbor Beach 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (638/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
Teachers (FTE)
4
Free/Reduced Lunch
48.0%
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
#3 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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