Average
#1477 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 46% in state
Paw Paw High School
High School · Paw Paw Public School District
30609 EAST RED ARROW HWY, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
665
Student-Teacher
18.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Paw Paw
#2 of 5
public schools
Michigan high schools
#301 of 812
In district
#2 of 5
Paw Paw Public School District
Academic growth
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Paw Paw High School
Paw Paw High School serves 665 students in grades 9-12 in rural Van Buren County, Michigan, maintaining a solid academic reputation with a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout. The school ranks #643 out of 3,204 Michigan high schools, placing it in the 80th percentile statewide—a notable achievement for a rural school community. With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, Paw Paw High maintains an 18.5:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for reasonably personalized attention.
Academic performance shows particular strength in English Language Arts, where 66% of students demonstrate proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area for continued growth, with 29% of students reaching proficiency standards. The school draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $71,463 and home values average $194,100.
About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11%. This economic foundation provides a supportive environment for student learning and family engagement. Located on East Red Arrow Highway, Paw Paw High School sits in a rural setting near town, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to broader educational and extracurricular opportunities that support college and career readiness.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Paw Paw 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 metricsView breakdown
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Paw Paw High School — Students at Paw Paw High School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
32.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 9.6/10.
How Paw Paw High School Compares
See how Paw Paw High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 31% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 71% (2021).
Location
30609 EAST RED ARROW HWY, Paw Paw, MI 49079
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Paw Paw High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Communitybased Transition Center (rated 8.7/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Lawrence), which scores notably higher. Another option is Mattawan High School (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away, in nearby Mattawan), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Lawton High School (rated 6.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Lawton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Paw Paw, see our Paw Paw schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paw Paw | 1.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Cedar Street Community and Family Center Paw Paw | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| ST MARY SCHOOL Paw Paw | 1.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Mattawan Later Elem School Mattawan | 2.3 mi | 6.9 |
| Mattawan Early Elem School Mattawan | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Mattawan High School Mattawan | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Paw Paw Middle School Paw Paw | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Lawton Accelerated Academic Center Lawton | 3.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Lawton Elementary School Lawton | 3.6 mi | 7.1 |
| Communitybased Transition Center Lawrence | 2.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Mattawan Middle School Mattawan | 2.8 mi | 6.2 |
| Lawton Middle School Lawton | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Paw Paw Early Elementary School Paw Paw | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| Lawton High School Lawton | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| Paw Paw Later Elementary Paw Paw | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center Mattawan | 3.0 mi | 7.6 |
| Michigan Online School Gobles | 9.7 mi | 3.5 |
| Gobles Elementary School Gobles | 10.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Gobles High School Gobles | 10.1 mi | 4.2 |
| Gobles Virtual Academy Gobles | 10.1 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,119
Median Home Value
$214,600
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
13,364
College Educated
24.5%
Homeownership
77.5%
Avg Commute
24.5 min
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Median Age
38.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Paw Paw High School has a median household income of $72,119. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,600, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Black River Public School MiddleHigh Holland, MI | 6.5 |
| Centreville Jr Sr High School Centreville, MI | 6.5 |
| Gull Lake High School Richland, MI | 6.5 |
| Ludington High School Ludington, MI | 6.5 |
| Sand Creek High School Sand Creek, MI | 6.5 |
| Buchanan High School Buchanan, MI | 6.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Paw Paw High School
What grades does Paw Paw High School serve?
Paw Paw High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Paw Paw High School?
Paw Paw High School has an enrollment of approximately 665 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Paw Paw High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Paw Paw High School is 18.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Paw Paw High School rank in MI?
Paw Paw High School is ranked #1477 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Paw Paw High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Paw Paw High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Paw Paw High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paw Paw High School has 29.0% math proficiency and 66.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Paw Paw High School a charter school?
No, Paw Paw High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Paw Paw High School a Title I school?
No, Paw Paw High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paw Paw High School?
32.8% of students at Paw Paw 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (4,885/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Paw Paw). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 665
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 36
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 32.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Van Buren County
- Phone
- (269) 415-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Paw Paw Public School District- District Enrollment
- 2,135
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,233
- District Rank
- #2 of 5
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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