Below Average
#2815 of 3,190 schools in MI
Onaway Elementary School
Elementary School · Onaway Area Community School District
4549 M 33, Onaway, MI 49765
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
243
Student-Teacher
14.3:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Onaway
#2 of 3
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,425 of 1,602
In district
#2 of 3
Onaway Area Community School District
School environment
8.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Onaway Elementary School
Onaway Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Onaway, Michigan. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade and currently has an enrollment of 243 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1, Onaway Elementary offers personalized attention to each child's learning needs.
There are 17 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to the education of the young learners at this school. According to MySchoolScout’s metrics, Onaway Elementary School has a rating of 4.2 out of 10 and is ranked 28th percentile among Michigan schools. In academic performance, the ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 36%, while the Math proficiency rate is also at 35%.
These figures indicate that there is room for improvement in student achievement but highlight a focus on overall student development. Onaway Elementary School is situated in a rural setting where community ties are strong and supportive. The school plays an essential role in nurturing young minds within this close-knit community environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Onaway Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Onaway Elementary School — Students at Onaway Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62.6%
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: 2.2/10.
How Onaway Elementary School Compares
See how Onaway Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 30.67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 33.92% (2022).
Location
4549 M 33, Onaway, MI 49765
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Onaway Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cheboygan Intermediate School (rated 8.3/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Cheboygan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Wolverine Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 19.3 miles away, in nearby Wolverine), which scores notably higher. Additionally, East Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Cheboygan), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Onaway, see our Onaway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 20.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Onaway Middle School Onaway | 0.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Onaway Senior High School Onaway | 0.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Presque Isle Academy Onaway | 0.9 mi | — |
| Atlanta Community Schools Atlanta | 24.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Inverness Academy Cheboygan | 21.0 mi | 6.8 |
| East Elementary School Cheboygan | 23.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Wolverine MiddleHigh School Wolverine | 19.1 mi | 4.9 |
| BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cheboygan | 23.3 mi | 5.6 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cheboygan | 23.5 mi | — |
| Wolverine Elementary School Wolverine | 19.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Cheboygan Area High School Cheboygan | 23.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Cheboygan Intermediate School Cheboygan | 23.5 mi | 8.3 |
| Cheboygan Middle School Cheboygan | 23.5 mi | 7.0 |
| ROGERS CITY MONTESSORI Rogers City | 19.7 mi | — |
| COP ESD Programs Indian River | 20.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Inland Lakes Elementary School Indian River | 19.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Inland Lakes Secondary School Indian River | 19.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Rogers City High School Rogers City | 20.1 mi | 7.4 |
| Rogers City Elementary School Rogers City | 20.3 mi | 4.1 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rogers City | 20.5 mi | 4.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49765 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,125
Median Home Value
$114,300
Median Rent
$753/mo
Population
4,287
College Educated
14.9%
Homeownership
83.7%
Avg Commute
27.4 min
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Median Age
49.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Onaway Elementary School has a median household income of $53,125. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $114,300, with a median rent of $753/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| Alcona Elementary School Harrisville, MI | 4.6 |
| Cavanaugh School Lansing, MI | 4.6 |
| Central Elementary School Linden, MI | 4.6 |
| Charles C McGlinnen School Clinton Township, MI | 4.6 |
| Covert Elementary School Covert, MI | 4.6 |
| EE Knight Elementary School Elsie, MI | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Onaway Elementary School
What grades does Onaway Elementary School serve?
Onaway Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.
How many students attend Onaway Elementary School?
Onaway Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 243 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Onaway Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Onaway Elementary School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Onaway Elementary School rank in MI?
Onaway Elementary School is ranked #2815 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Onaway Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Onaway Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Onaway Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Onaway Elementary School has 34.7% math proficiency and 36.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Onaway Elementary School a charter school?
No, Onaway Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Onaway Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Onaway Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Onaway Elementary School?
62.6% of students at Onaway Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (205/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 5th
- Enrollment
- 243
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 62.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Presque Isle County
- Phone
- (989) 733-4900
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Onaway Area Community School District- District Enrollment
- 525
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,715
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
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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