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Below Average

#2738 of 3,192 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

4.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,738 of 3,192

In Onaway

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Onaway Area Community School District

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Onaway Elementary School

4.5/10

Elementary School in Onaway · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Onaway Middle School

5.7/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Onaway Senior High School

7.0/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Onaway Elementary School

Onaway Elementary School is a public elementary school in Onaway, MI, part of Onaway Area Community School District. Onaway Elementary School serves approximately 243 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Onaway Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #2,738 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Onaway Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.6 pts below MI schools
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • MI avg 6.1

What Parents Should Know

Onaway Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

58% of students at Onaway Elementary 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 metrics
Student Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-4.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.9Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.9% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-11.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile42th
Resources & Environment5.7Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,715
Chronic Absenteeism57.6%

Onaway Elementary School — Students at Onaway Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 52.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
36.6% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
43.1% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
92%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
97.5%
ELA
92%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
77%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2015
Math
72%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
34.5%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How Onaway Elementary School Compares

See how Onaway Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.5/10
14th percentile in MI
Academic
5.9/10
Average
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.7/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
57.6%

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 6.6/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Cheboygan), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rogers City Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Rogers City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 23.3 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 5.7
Onaway Senior High School Onaway 0.0 mi 7.0
Presque Isle Academy Onaway 0.9 mi
Atlanta Community Schools Atlanta 24.8 mi 7.0
Inverness Academy Cheboygan 21.0 mi 5.7
East Elementary School Cheboygan 23.2 mi 4.9
Wolverine MiddleHigh School Wolverine 19.1 mi 5.8
BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Cheboygan 23.3 mi 5.6
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cheboygan 23.5 mi
Wolverine Elementary School Wolverine 19.3 mi 4.9
Cheboygan Area High School Cheboygan 23.5 mi 8.0
Cheboygan Intermediate School Cheboygan 23.5 mi 6.6
Cheboygan Middle School Cheboygan 23.5 mi 6.3
ROGERS CITY MONTESSORI Rogers City 19.7 mi
COP ESD Programs Indian River 20.2 mi 7.5
Inland Lakes Elementary School Indian River 19.6 mi 4.1
Inland Lakes Secondary School Indian River 19.6 mi 7.2
Rogers City High School Rogers City 20.1 mi 7.1
Rogers City Elementary School Rogers City 20.3 mi 6.5
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Barhitte Elementary School Burton, MI 4.5
Capac Elementary School Mussey, MI 4.5
Coit Creative Arts Academy Grand Rapids, MI 4.5
Emerson School Ionia, MI 4.5
Fife Lake Elementary School Fife Lake, MI 4.5
James Foote School Lincoln Park, MI 4.5

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 ranks #2,738 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Onaway Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Onaway Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Onaway Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Onaway Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
23 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
57.6%

District

Onaway Area Community School District
District Enrollment
525
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,715
District Rank
#3 of 3

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