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
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher
5.9:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.8/10.
How Highland Pines School Compares
See how Highland Pines School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 44.5% (2019) to 48.08% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 64.5% (2019) to 48.08% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (989) 673-5200
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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 methodologyRelated reading
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