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Very Good

#824 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 26% in state

Pentwater Public School

School · Pentwater Public School District

600 PARK ST, Pentwater, MI 49449

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#108 of 279

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Pentwater Public School

Pentwater Public School serves 229 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in this close-knit rural Michigan community. With 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate 12.7:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and strong relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its academic quality, receiving a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #432 out of 3,204 schools statewide, placing it in the 86th percentile among Michigan schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence in a small-school environment where every student is known and valued. Pentwater Public School draws from a stable community where 42% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income of $73,102 reflects families who prioritize education. The area's 10% poverty rate indicates a relatively affluent community that supports its schools, while the median home value of $266,500 suggests families are invested in staying long-term.

Located on Park Street in this remote rural setting along Lake Michigan's eastern shore, Pentwater Public School offers the advantages of small-town education where students can participate in multiple activities and receive individual attention while being part of a supportive community that values academic achievement.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Pentwater Public 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 Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.7Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.9%
Math vs. State Avg+0.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+19 pts
Overall Proficiency52%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+9.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,439

Pentwater Public School — Students at Pentwater Public School score 52% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 60.4%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 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
52%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
40.8%
ELA
60.6%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Pentwater Public School Compares

See how Pentwater Public School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in MI
Academic
8.7/10
8.7/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

600 PARK ST, Pentwater, MI 49449

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pentwater Public School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Developmental ClassroomsWSESD (rated 9.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Ludington), which scores notably higher. Another option is New Era Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 15.9 miles away, in nearby New Era), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LUDINGTON AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Ludington), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Pentwater, see our Pentwater schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Hart Middle School Hart 6.5 mi 6.3
Spitler Elementary School Hart 6.5 mi 6.1
Hart High School Hart 6.6 mi 6.4
Shelby High School Shelby 11.8 mi 5.6
Ludington High School Ludington 12.2 mi 6.5
Shelby Middle School Shelby 11.9 mi 7.9
OJ DeJonge Middle School Ludington 12.3 mi 7.3
Thomas Read Elementary School Shelby 12.1 mi 3.8
Ludington Elementary School Ludington 12.8 mi 5.5
LUDINGTON AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Ludington 12.8 mi 8.1
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ludington 12.5 mi 5.9
Academy of Science Math and Technology Early College High Sc Ludington 12.7 mi 5.1
Developmental ClassroomsWSESD Ludington 12.7 mi 9.0
Mason County Central Upper Elementary Scottville 13.8 mi 5.6
Mason County Central HS Scottville 13.8 mi 6.3
Mason County Central MS Scottville 13.9 mi 6.1
Scottville Elementary School Scottville 14.0 mi 5.5
Gateway To Success Academy Scottville 14.4 mi 7.8
New Era Elementary School New Era 15.9 mi 8.3
NEW ERA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL New Era 16.0 mi 4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49449 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$74,286

Median Home Value

$282,400

Median Rent

$719/mo

Population

2,794

College Educated

43.4%

Homeownership

87.7%

Avg Commute

24.4 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

58

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pentwater Public School has a median household income of $74,286. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $282,400, with a median rent of $719/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Chassell K12 School Chassell, MI 7.3
David Ellis Academy Detroit, MI 7.3
North Huron School Kinde, MI 7.3
Huron Academy Grades K2 Clinton Twp, MI 7.2
LIVINGSTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS Brighton, MI 7.2
WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage, MI 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pentwater Public School

What grades does Pentwater Public School serve?

Pentwater Public School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Pentwater Public School?

Pentwater Public School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pentwater Public School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pentwater Public School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pentwater Public School rank in MI?

Pentwater Public School is ranked #824 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Pentwater Public School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pentwater Public School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Pentwater Public School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pentwater Public School has 42.8% math proficiency and 60.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pentwater Public School a charter school?

No, Pentwater Public School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pentwater Public School a Title I school?

No, Pentwater Public School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pentwater Public School?

51.5% of students at Pentwater Public 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
47 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Average (665/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pentwater). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
229
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Oceana County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pentwater Public School District
District Enrollment
229
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,832
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 methodology

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