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Very Good

#571 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 18% in state

Highland Pines School

School · Tuscola ISD

1381 CLEAVER RD, Caro, MI 48723

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

5.9:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Caro

#1 of 6

public schools

Michigan schools

#79 of 279

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Highland Pines School

Highland Pines School serves 94 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Caro, Michigan, offering an intimate educational environment with an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.9 to 1. With 16 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides personalized attention that many larger schools cannot match. The school has earned recognition for its performance, receiving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranking #299 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 91st percentile among Michigan schools.

This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to academic excellence within its close-knit learning community. Highland Pines School draws students from a diverse socioeconomic background in Tuscola County, where the median household income is $56,116 and median home value is $116,300. The surrounding ZIP code of 48723 has a population of 12,389, with 18% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 16.8%.

The school's small size allows for individualized instruction and strong relationships between students, teachers, and families. Located in the town setting of Caro, Highland Pines School serves as an integral part of this rural Michigan community, providing comprehensive K-12 education in a supportive, personalized environment.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 94 students, Highland Pines 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.9:1, Highland Pines School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.1%
Math vs. State Avg+6.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.2 pts
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected+13.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$268,278

Highland Pines School — Students at Highland Pines School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
35.7%
ELA Proficiency 53.4%
School
State
41.5%

Based on 10 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
44.5%
ELA
64.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
54.5%
2022
Math
49.4%
ELA
49.4%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Highland Pines School Compares

See how Highland Pines School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
82th percentile in MI
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

1381 CLEAVER RD, Caro, MI 48723

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Highland Pines School may also want to explore other schools in the area. UnionvilleSebewaing Elem School (rated 9.0/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Unionville), which scores notably higher. Another option is McComb Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, AkronFairgrove JrSr High School (rated 7.2/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Fairgrove), 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 5.0
Schall Elementary School Caro 1.2 mi 6.6
Caro Middle School Caro 1.3 mi 4.2
McComb Elementary School Caro 1.4 mi 7.5
Caro High School Caro 1.4 mi 4.2
AkronFairgrove Elem School Akron 7.6 mi 5.9
AkronFairgrove JrSr High School Fairgrove 8.0 mi 7.2
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Unionville 10.7 mi 5.5
Mayville Middle High School Mayville 12.2 mi 6.8
Mayville Elementary School Mayville 12.3 mi 7.0
UnionvilleSebewaing Elem School Unionville 13.4 mi 9.0
UnionvilleSebewaing MiddleHigh School Sebewaing 13.5 mi 3.8
Clarence Fischer Center Vassar 12.7 mi
Kingston High School Kingston 11.9 mi 6.1
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN SCHOOL Sebewaing 15.4 mi 5.1
Kingston Elementary School Kingston 12.2 mi 4.4
Vassar Senior High School Vassar 13.2 mi 5.2
Central School Vassar 13.2 mi 6.2
Cass City Elementary Cass City 13.0 mi 6.8

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Highland Pines School has a median household income of $56,618. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,300, with a median rent of $737/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
Cooke School Northville, MI 7.7
Kent ISD Deaf and Hard of Hearing Grand Rapids, MI 7.7
SPRING VALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Owosso, MI 7.7
Greyhound Central Performance Academy Eaton Rapids, MI 7.8
Keeler School Redford, MI 7.8
The Lincoln Center Wyandotte, MI 7.8

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 is ranked #571 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Highland Pines School's MySchoolScout rating?

Highland Pines School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Highland Pines School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highland Pines School has 45.4% math proficiency and 53.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
52 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,280/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tuscola ISD
District Enrollment
410
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$323,697
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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