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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.6Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+3.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendImproving
Academics7.5Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Overall Proficiency51%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile64th
College Readiness4.5Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation15.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,049

Paw Paw High School — Students at Paw Paw High School score 51% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

32.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 66.5%
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
71%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.5/10
54th percentile in MI
Academic
7.5/10
7.5/10
Growth
9.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
33%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paw Paw Public School District
District Enrollment
2,135
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,233
District Rank
#2 of 5

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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