Very Good
#750 of 3,192 schools in MI
Top 24% in state
Highland Pines School
School · Tuscola ISD
1381 CLEAVER RD, Caro, MI 48723
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#750 of 3,192
In Caro
#1 of 6
public schools
School environment
9.9 / 10
Excellent
Shortlisting around Highland Pines School?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Highland Pines School
School in Caro · grades Pre-K – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Transition Center
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Caro Alternative High School
1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Highland Pines School
Highland Pines School is a public school in Caro, MI, part of Tuscola ISD. Highland Pines School serves approximately 94 students, and covers grades Pre-K-12th, and has a 5.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Highland Pines School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #750 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Highland Pines School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- MI avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 94 students, Highland Pines School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 5.9:1 students to teachers, Highland Pines School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
31% of students at Highland Pines School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Highland Pines School — Students at Highland Pines School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 32 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: 8.3/10.
How Highland Pines School Compares
See how Highland Pines School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
1381 CLEAVER RD, Caro, MI 48723
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highland Pines School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Mayville Middle High School (rated 7.6/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Mayville), with a very similar rating. Another option is AkronFairgrove Elem School (rated 7.2/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Akron), with a very similar rating. Additionally, McComb Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 1.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Caro, see our Caro schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Transition Center Caro | 0.1 mi | — |
| Caro Alternative High School Caro | 1.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Schall Elementary School Caro | 1.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Caro Middle School Caro | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| McComb Elementary School Caro | 1.4 mi | 7.1 |
| Caro High School Caro | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| AkronFairgrove Elem School Akron | 7.6 mi | 7.2 |
| AkronFairgrove JrSr High School Fairgrove | 8.0 mi | 7.0 |
| CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Unionville | 10.7 mi | 5.5 |
| Mayville Middle High School Mayville | 12.2 mi | 7.6 |
| Mayville Elementary School Mayville | 12.3 mi | 6.6 |
| UnionvilleSebewaing Elem School Unionville | 13.4 mi | 6.9 |
| UnionvilleSebewaing MiddleHigh School Sebewaing | 13.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Clarence Fischer Center Vassar | 12.7 mi | — |
| Kingston High School Kingston | 11.9 mi | 7.1 |
| CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sebewaing | 15.4 mi | 5.1 |
| Kingston Elementary School Kingston | 12.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Vassar Senior High School Vassar | 13.2 mi | 6.7 |
| Central School Vassar | 13.2 mi | 4.6 |
| Cass City Elementary Cass City | 13.0 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48723 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,618
Median Home Value
$131,300
Median Rent
$737/mo
Population
11,960
College Educated
18.1%
Homeownership
79.5%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
45
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Burger Development Center Inkster, MI | 7.4 |
| Michigan School for the Deaf Flint, MI | 7.4 |
| Woodland Developmental Center Marysville, MI | 7.4 |
| BLUE WATER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Smiths Creek, MI | 7.5 |
| COP ESD Programs Indian River, MI | 7.5 |
| Learning Center Escanaba, MI | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Highland Pines School
What grades does Highland Pines School serve?
Highland Pines School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Highland Pines School?
Highland Pines School has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highland Pines School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highland Pines School is 5.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highland Pines School rank in MI?
Highland Pines School ranks #750 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Highland Pines School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highland Pines School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highland Pines School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highland Pines School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 61% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Highland Pines School a charter school?
No, Highland Pines School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highland Pines School a Title I school?
No, Highland Pines School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highland Pines School?
62.8% of students at Highland Pines 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 94
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 5.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.8%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Tuscola County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 30.9%
- Phone
- (989) 673-5200
- 4-Year Graduation
- <50%
Resources & Links
District
Tuscola ISD- District Enrollment
- 410
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $323,697
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateRelated 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.