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Below Average

#3007 of 3,190 schools in MI

Onaway Senior High School

High School · Onaway Area Community School District

4549 M 33, Onaway, MI 49765

Enrollment

167

Student-Teacher

23.9:1

Score

4.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Onaway

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan high schools

#757 of 812

In district

#3 of 3

Onaway Area Community School District

About Onaway Senior High School

Onaway Senior High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural setting of Onaway, Michigan. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 167 students and a student-teacher ratio of 23.9:1, supported by seven full-time equivalent teachers. Onaway Senior High School’s academic performance is currently rated at 2.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout.com, placing it in the eighth percentile among Michigan schools.

The school's ELA/reading proficiency rate stands at 50%, while math proficiency is at 35%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student achievement and development. The rural community around Onaway Senior High School offers a close-knit environment, fostering strong relationships between students, teachers, and families.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 167 students, Onaway Senior High 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Onaway Senior High School is 23.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Onaway Senior High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.2Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-12.38 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency15%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-11.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,414

Onaway Senior High School — Students at Onaway Senior High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 34.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
54.5%
ELA
54.5%
2021*
Math
15%
ELA
44.5%

* 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: 1.2/10.

How Onaway Senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.1/10
6th percentile in MI
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
1.2/10
Below average
Environment
2.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
53%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

4549 M 33, Onaway, MI 49765

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Onaway Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Rogers City High School (rated 7.4/10, 20.1 miles away, in nearby Rogers City), which scores notably higher. Another option is Inverness Academy (rated 6.8/10, 21.0 miles away, in nearby Cheboygan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cheboygan Area High School (rated 6.6/10, 23.5 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 Elementary School Onaway 0.0 mi 4.6
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 Senior High 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
Blended Learning Academies Credit Recovery High School Lansing, MI 4.0
Accelerated Learning Academy Flint, MI 4.2
Addison High School Addison, MI 4.2
Brethren High School Brethren, MI 4.2
WK Kellogg Preparatory High School Battle Creek, MI 4.2
Montrose Alternative Education Center Montrose, MI 3.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Onaway Senior High School

What grades does Onaway Senior High School serve?

Onaway Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Onaway Senior High School?

Onaway Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 167 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Onaway Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Onaway Senior High School is 23.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Onaway Senior High School rank in MI?

Onaway Senior High School is ranked #3007 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Onaway Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Onaway Senior High School has a composite rating of 4.1 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 Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Onaway Senior High School has 34.8% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Onaway Senior High School a charter school?

No, Onaway Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Onaway Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Onaway Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Onaway Senior High School?

52.7% of students at Onaway Senior High 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

County Safety
Low (205/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
167
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Presque Isle County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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 methodology

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