Very Good
#451 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 14% in state
Life Skills Center
School · Northwest Education Services
880 PARSONS RD, Traverse City, MI 49686
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 22 schools in TRAVERSE CITY. Learn more
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
3.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
15 – 15
Enrollment
70
Student-Teacher
3.3:1
Score
7.9
Grades
15 – 15
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Traverse City
#6 of 23
public schools
In district
#2 of 4
Northwest Education Services
School environment
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Life Skills Center
Life Skills Center serves 70 students in grades 15 through 15 in Traverse City, Michigan, offering a highly personalized educational environment with an exceptional 3.3:1 student-teacher ratio and 21 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #248 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 92nd percentile among Michigan schools. The school's remarkably low student-teacher ratio suggests an intensive, individualized approach to education that allows for significant one-on-one attention and customized learning experiences.
This structure appears well-suited for students who may benefit from more focused academic support and specialized instruction. Life Skills Center is located in Grand Traverse County, serving students in a community where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a strong emphasis on education. The surrounding neighborhood shows economic stability with a median household income of $67,279 and median home values of $276,600, while maintaining accessibility with a modest 12.6% poverty rate.
The school operates within Traverse City's small city setting, providing students access to both educational resources and the natural beauty that defines this northern Michigan community known for its lakes and outdoor recreation opportunities.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 70 students, Life Skills Center 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 3.3:1, Life Skills Center 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 · 3/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Life Skills Center Compares
See how Life Skills Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
880 PARSONS RD, Traverse City, MI 49686
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Life Skills Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. TCAPS Montessori School (rated 9.2/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is North EdNew Horizons (rated 8.8/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Grade School (rated 8.2/10, 3.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Traverse City, see our Traverse City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North EdCareer Tech Traverse City | 0.0 mi | — |
| Traverse City High School Traverse City | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Eastern Elementary School Traverse City | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Grand Traverse Academy Traverse City | 2.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Central High School Traverse City | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Cherry Knoll Elementary School Traverse City | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| North EdBridgeway Traverse City | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| TRAVERSE BAY MENNONITE SCHOOL Traverse City | 1.8 mi | — |
| ST ELIZABETH ANN SETON MIDDLE SCHOOL Traverse City | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| North EdNew Horizons Traverse City | 1.8 mi | 8.8 |
| Traverse Heights Elem School Traverse City | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| East Middle School Traverse City | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| TRAVERSE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Traverse City | 3.0 mi | 4.4 |
| The Greenspire High School Travse City | 2.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Central Grade School Traverse City | 3.2 mi | 8.2 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City | 3.4 mi | 6.5 |
| Courtade Elementary School Traverse City | 4.1 mi | 7.2 |
| North EdCreekside School Traverse City | 4.0 mi | 7.7 |
| TCAPS Montessori School Traverse City | 4.0 mi | 9.2 |
| The Greenspire School Traverse City | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49686 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,198
Median Home Value
$295,500
Median Rent
$1,209/mo
Population
25,181
College Educated
45.9%
Homeownership
71.1%
Avg Commute
19.8 min
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Median Age
47.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Life Skills Center has a median household income of $71,198. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,500, with a median rent of $1,209/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Life Skills Center
What grades does Life Skills Center serve?
Life Skills Center serves students in grades 15 through 15.
How many students attend Life Skills Center?
Life Skills Center has an enrollment of approximately 70 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Life Skills Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Life Skills Center is 3.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Life Skills Center rank in MI?
Life Skills Center is ranked #451 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Life Skills Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Life Skills Center has a composite rating of 7.9 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.
Is Life Skills Center a charter school?
No, Life Skills Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Life Skills Center a Title I school?
No, Life Skills Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Life Skills Center?
48.6% of students at Life Skills Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 15 – 15
- Enrollment
- 70
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 3.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.6%
- Type
- special_ed
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Grand Traverse County
- Phone
- (231) 922-6357
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Northwest Education Services- District Enrollment
- 931
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $287,660
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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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