Very Good
#680 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 21% in state
Ontonagon Area School
School · Ontonagon Area School District
701 PARKER AVE, Ontonagon, MI 49953
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
250
Student-Teacher
17.9:1
Score
7.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Michigan schools
#91 of 279
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ontonagon Area School
Ontonagon Area School is a regular public school located in the heart of Ontonagon, Michigan, nestled in a remote rural area. Serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade, the school has an enrollment of 250 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.9:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The MySchoolScout rating for Ontonagon Area School is 6.5 out of 10, placing it in the 70th percentile among Michigan schools.
While academic performance shows room for growth—with 53% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 32% proficient or above in Math—the school focuses on providing a nurturing environment that supports student development across various subjects. The rural setting offers a close-knit community where students can engage deeply with their peers and teachers, fostering strong bonds and personalized learning experiences. Ontonagon Area School is situated in an area where the tight-knit community values education and works together to support its youth as they navigate their academic journey.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ontonagon Area 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 metricsView breakdown
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Ontonagon Area School — Students at Ontonagon Area School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Ontonagon Area School Compares
See how Ontonagon Area School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 32.46% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52.55% (2022).
Location
701 PARKER AVE, Ontonagon, MI 49953
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ontonagon Area School may also want to explore other schools in the area. GogebicOntonagon ISD Special Education (rated 8.9/10, 23.2 miles away, in nearby Bergland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EwenTrout Creek Consolidated School (rated 8.0/10, 22.9 miles away, in nearby Ewen), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Ontonagon, see our Ontonagon schools guide .
Nearby Schools
3 within 23.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| EwenTrout Creek Consolidated School Ewen | 22.9 mi | 8.0 |
| Elm River Township School Toivola | 18.3 mi | — |
| GogebicOntonagon ISD Special Education Bergland | 23.2 mi | 8.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49953 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$55,647
Median Home Value
$103,300
Median Rent
$557/mo
Population
2,261
College Educated
18.6%
Homeownership
81.6%
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Median Age
60.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ontonagon Area School has a median household income of $55,647. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $103,300, with a median rent of $557/month. The local poverty rate of 9.6% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Baraga School Baraga, MI | 7.5 |
| Dollar BayTamarack City Area K12 School Dollar Bay, MI | 7.5 |
| HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kalamazoo, MI | 7.5 |
| JACKSON CHRISTIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jackson, MI | 7.5 |
| BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Troy, MI | 7.4 |
| BLOOMFIELD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bloomfield Hills, MI | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ontonagon Area School
What grades does Ontonagon Area School serve?
Ontonagon Area School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.
How many students attend Ontonagon Area School?
Ontonagon Area School has an enrollment of approximately 250 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ontonagon Area School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ontonagon Area School is 17.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ontonagon Area School rank in MI?
Ontonagon Area School is ranked #680 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Ontonagon Area School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ontonagon Area School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Ontonagon Area School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ontonagon Area School has 31.7% math proficiency and 52.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ontonagon Area School a charter school?
No, Ontonagon Area School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ontonagon Area School a Title I school?
No, Ontonagon Area School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ontonagon Area School?
57.2% of students at Ontonagon Area 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 12th
- Enrollment
- 250
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ontonagon County
- Phone
- (906) 813-0614
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ontonagon Area School District- District Enrollment
- 250
- Schools in District
- 1
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,804
- 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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