Needs Improvement
#3059 of 3,192 schools in MI
Hillsdale Preparatory School
Elementary School · Hillsdale Preparatory School
160 MECHANIC RD, Hillsdale, MI 49242
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
3.3
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#3,059 of 3,192
In Hillsdale
#8 of 8
public schools
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Hillsdale Preparatory School
Elementary School in Hillsdale · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gier Elementary School
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Greenfield School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Hillsdale Preparatory School
Hillsdale Preparatory School is a public elementary school in Hillsdale, MI, part of Hillsdale Preparatory School. Hillsdale Preparatory School serves approximately 54 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Hillsdale Preparatory School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,059 of 3,192 schools in MI.
Structured state assessment records for Hillsdale Preparatory School show 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 54 students, Hillsdale Preparatory 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.
Hillsdale Preparatory School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
56% of students at Hillsdale Preparatory 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Hillsdale Preparatory School — Students at Hillsdale Preparatory School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 34 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: 2.9/10.
How Hillsdale Preparatory School Compares
See how Hillsdale Preparatory School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Gier Elementary School (rated 6.8/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bailey Early Childhood Center (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Williams Elementary School (rated 6.0/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), 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 | 6.8 |
| Greenfield School Hillsdale | 1.0 mi | 5.9 |
| Davis Middle School Hillsdale | 1.1 mi | 6.2 |
| Hillsdale High School Hillsdale | 1.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Horizon Alternative School Hillsdale | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Bailey Early Childhood Center Hillsdale | 1.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Will Carleton Charter School Academy Hillsdale | 1.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Jonesville High School Jonesville | 3.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Williams Elementary School Jonesville | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| Jonesville Pathways Jonesville | 3.6 mi | 5.7 |
| Jonesville Middle School Jonesville | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| North AdamsJerome MiddleHigh School North Adams | 6.7 mi | 5.7 |
| North AdamsJerome Elem School North Adams | 6.7 mi | 2.9 |
| Reynolds Elementary School Reading | 8.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Reading High School Reading | 8.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Litchfield High School Litchfield | 9.5 mi | 5.7 |
| Litchfield Elementary School Litchfield | 9.5 mi | 2.8 |
| CamdenFrontier K12 School Camden | 11.0 mi | 7.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Maple Lane School Sterling Heights, MI | 3.6 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alpena, MI | 3.9 |
| CROSS OF GLORY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Washington Township, MI | 3.9 |
| Crawford School Kalkaska, MI | 2.6 |
| Glenn Public School Glenn, MI | 4.0 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL South Haven, MI | 4.0 |
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 ranks #3,059 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Hillsdale Preparatory School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hillsdale Preparatory School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Hillsdale Preparatory School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Hillsdale Preparatory School has 41% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 55.6%
- Phone
- (517) 437-4625
Resources & Links
District
Hillsdale Preparatory School- District Enrollment
- 54
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $9,614
- District Rank
- #1 of 1
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