Needs Improvement
#3092 of 3,190 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
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Enrollment
54
Student-Teacher
10.8:1
Score
3.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Hillsdale Preparatory School — Students at Hillsdale Preparatory School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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 12 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: 2.1/10.
How Hillsdale Preparatory School Compares
See how Hillsdale Preparatory School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 17.3% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27.57% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (517) 437-4625
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
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