Skip to main content

Average

#250 of 460 private schools in MI

Harbor Light Christian School

School

8333 CLAYTON RD, Harbor Springs, MI 49740

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on MI statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

163

Student-Teacher

12.3:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#55 of 87

About Harbor Light Christian School

Harbor Light Christian School serves 163 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Harbor Springs, Michigan. Despite its name suggesting a Christian affiliation, the school operates as a regular public school with 13 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment with a 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. The school earns a solid 7.9 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #246 out of 460 schools statewide, placing it in the 47th percentile among Michigan schools.

This performance reflects steady educational delivery in a smaller school setting where students can receive more individualized attention from faculty. Harbor Springs represents an affluent community with a median household income of $80,250 and median home values around $297,800. Nearly half of the local population holds bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at 6.7 percent, suggesting strong family support for education.

The ZIP code area is home to 7,451 residents who value both educational achievement and community involvement. Harbor Light Christian School sits in a rural setting near the town of Harbor Springs, offering students the benefits of small-town living while maintaining access to quality educational resources in Michigan's scenic northern lower peninsula.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 163 students, Harbor Light Christian 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.

As a private school, Harbor Light Christian School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Located in a rural area, Harbor Light Christian 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.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Harbor Light Christian School compares to the 2 public schools in Harbor Springs, MI

Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
This School
vs
13.4:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
163
This School
vs
238
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.2
This School
vs
7.9
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 84% vs 0%
Asian 3.1% vs 0%
Black 1.2% vs 0%
Harbor Light Christian School Harbor Springs Public Avg

All Schools in Harbor Springs

School Rating
Harbor Light Christian School (this school) 6.2
Blackbird Elementary School 8.1
Harbor Springs Middle School 7.6

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 12.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.4 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,197
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 5.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 163
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in MI

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 84.0%
Native American 8.0%
Asian 3.1%
Two or More 2.5%
Black 1.2%
Pacific Islander 1.2%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

8333 CLAYTON RD, Harbor Springs, MI 49740

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harbor Light Christian School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Concord Academy Petoskey (rated 7.9/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Petoskey), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alanson Public School (rated 7.9/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Alanson), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 4.8/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Burt Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Harbor Springs, see our Harbor Springs schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ST MICHAEL ACADEMY Petoskey 3.8 mi
Petoskey Montessori Elem School Petoskey 4.2 mi
Petoskey Middle School Petoskey 4.4 mi 7.7
Petoskey High School Petoskey 4.4 mi 8.4
Concord Academy Petoskey Petoskey 4.8 mi 7.9
CharEm Alternative Schools Charlevoix 4.4 mi
Ottawa Elementary School Petoskey 4.7 mi 8.0
ST FRANCIS XAVIER SCHOOL Petoskey 4.7 mi 6.6
Central Elementary School Petoskey 4.7 mi 7.0
Blackbird Elementary School Harbor Springs 4.0 mi 8.1
Harbor Springs High School Harbor Spgs 4.0 mi 6.7
Sheridan School Petoskey 5.2 mi 9.3
Harbor Springs Middle School Harbor Springs 4.2 mi 7.6
Lincoln School Petoskey 5.2 mi 9.4
Alanson Public School Alanson 5.6 mi 7.9
Pellston MiddleHigh School Pellston 10.4 mi 6.8
Pellston Elementary School Pellston 10.5 mi 9.4
NORTHERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Burt Lake 9.9 mi 4.8
Boyne City Elementary School Boyne City 16.0 mi 7.0
Boyne City High School Boyne City 16.1 mi 5.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49740 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$85,230

Median Home Value

$332,600

Median Rent

$997/mo

Population

7,277

College Educated

45.5%

Homeownership

88.8%

Avg Commute

20.9 min

Poverty Rate

7%

Median Age

55

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harbor Light Christian School has a median household income of $85,230. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $332,600, with a median rent of $997/month. The local poverty rate of 7.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 21 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
Mid Peninsula School Rock, MI 6.2
DPSCD Virtual School Detroit, MI 6.1
Lighthouse Education Center Saint Joseph, MI 6.1
Waldron Area Schools Waldron, MI 6.1
Walkerville Public School Walkerville, MI 6.1
Suttons Bay Virtual School Suttons Bay, MI 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harbor Light Christian School

What grades does Harbor Light Christian School serve?

Harbor Light Christian School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Harbor Light Christian School?

Harbor Light Christian School has an enrollment of approximately 163 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harbor Light Christian School?

The student-teacher ratio at Harbor Light Christian School is 12.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Harbor Light Christian School rank in MI?

Harbor Light Christian School is ranked #250 out of 460 private schools in MI.

What is Harbor Light Christian School's MySchoolScout rating?

Harbor Light Christian School has a composite rating of 6.2 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.

Is Harbor Light Christian School a private school?

Yes, Harbor Light Christian School is a private coeducational school with a Christian, no specific denomination affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Harbor Light Christian School a religious school?

Harbor Light Christian School has a Christian, no specific denomination religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Low (236/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
163
Gender Split
59% M / 41% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Christian, no specific denomination
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
171 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
EMMET
Data Year
2022–2023

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

Related 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.