Average
#250 of 460 private schools in MI
Harbor Light Christian School
School
8333 CLAYTON RD, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
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
Enrollment
163
Student-Teacher
12.3:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
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
BetaHow Harbor Light Christian School compares to the 2 public schools in Harbor Springs, MI
Student Demographics
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.
Data Unavailable
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)
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (231) 347-7859
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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.
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