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Needs Improvement

#3092 of 3,190 schools in MI

Hillsdale Preparatory School

Elementary School · Hillsdale Preparatory School

160 MECHANIC RD, Hillsdale, MI 49242

Charter

Enrollment

54

Student-Teacher

10.8:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Hillsdale

#6 of 6

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,550 of 1,602

School environment

8.4 / 10

Very strong

About Hillsdale Preparatory School

Hillsdale Preparatory School serves 54 students in kindergarten through eighth grade in this small Michigan community. As a public charter school with just 5 full-time equivalent teachers, it maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 10.8:1, allowing for personalized attention and close mentoring relationships. The school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 13th out of 3,204 elementary schools statewide and placing in the 100th percentile.

This outstanding performance has contributed to its strong 7.5 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout, reflecting the school's commitment to academic excellence within its intimate learning environment. The small class sizes create opportunities for individualized instruction and foster a tight-knit school community where students and teachers know each other well. This personalized approach appears to be paying dividends given the school's top-tier ranking among Michigan elementary schools.

Hillsdale Preparatory School operates in a town setting where the median household income is $56,803 and about one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher. The school serves families in a community where the median home value is $162,300, providing a stable environment for education in Hillsdale County's welcoming small-town atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 54 students, Hillsdale Preparatory 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.

Hillsdale Preparatory School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.08 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.3Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27.6%
Math vs. State Avg-24.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-14.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-16.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile14th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,778

Hillsdale Preparatory School — Students at Hillsdale Preparatory School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

57.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.1%
School
State
35.6%
ELA Proficiency 33.2%
School
State
42.0%

Based on 12 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
37%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
19.3%
ELA
26.9%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Hillsdale Preparatory School Compares

See how Hillsdale Preparatory School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
3th percentile in MI
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
57%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

160 MECHANIC RD, Hillsdale, MI 49242

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Hillsdale Preparatory School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Williams Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bailey Early Childhood Center (rated 7.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Reynolds Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Reading), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hillsdale, see our Hillsdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Gier Elementary School Hillsdale 0.6 mi 4.1
Greenfield School Hillsdale 1.0 mi 5.6
Davis Middle School Hillsdale 1.1 mi 6.8
Hillsdale High School Hillsdale 1.2 mi 5.9
Horizon Alternative School Hillsdale 1.2 mi 5.2
Bailey Early Childhood Center Hillsdale 1.4 mi 7.8
Will Carleton Charter School Academy Hillsdale 1.6 mi 3.9
Jonesville High School Jonesville 3.0 mi 5.1
Williams Elementary School Jonesville 3.0 mi 8.6
Jonesville Pathways Jonesville 3.6 mi 5.9
Jonesville Middle School Jonesville 3.6 mi 6.1
North AdamsJerome MiddleHigh School North Adams 6.7 mi 6.1
North AdamsJerome Elem School North Adams 6.7 mi 3.9
Reynolds Elementary School Reading 8.1 mi 6.0
Reading High School Reading 8.3 mi 6.6
Litchfield High School Litchfield 9.5 mi 5.9
Litchfield Elementary School Litchfield 9.5 mi 2.9
CamdenFrontier K12 School Camden 11.0 mi 5.7
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsford 9.7 mi 5.6
AMISH SCHOOL #1 Camden 12.6 mi 1.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49242 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,813

Median Home Value

$182,900

Median Rent

$770/mo

Population

14,768

College Educated

25.2%

Homeownership

71.7%

Avg Commute

18.2 min

Poverty Rate

13.5%

Median Age

39.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Hillsdale Preparatory School has a median household income of $57,813. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $182,900, with a median rent of $770/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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
CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Washington Township, MI 3.8
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alpena, MI 3.9
ST THERESE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Wayland, MI 3.9
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Haven, MI 4.0
MONROE CATHOLIC ES - ST. MICHAEL CAMPUS Monroe, MI 4.2
River School Sodus, MI 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Hillsdale Preparatory School

What grades does Hillsdale Preparatory School serve?

Hillsdale Preparatory School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Hillsdale Preparatory School?

Hillsdale Preparatory School has an enrollment of approximately 54 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Hillsdale Preparatory School?

The student-teacher ratio at Hillsdale Preparatory School is 10.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Hillsdale Preparatory School rank in MI?

Hillsdale Preparatory School is ranked #3092 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Hillsdale Preparatory School's MySchoolScout rating?

Hillsdale Preparatory School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 Hillsdale Preparatory School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hillsdale Preparatory School has 23.1% math proficiency and 33.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Hillsdale Preparatory School a charter school?

Yes, Hillsdale Preparatory School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Hillsdale Preparatory School a Title I school?

No, Hillsdale Preparatory School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hillsdale Preparatory School?

57.4% of students at Hillsdale Preparatory 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

City Safety
Elevated (939/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Hillsdale County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Hillsdale Preparatory School
District Enrollment
54
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$9,614
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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