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Average

#1552 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 49% in state

Pickford Public Schools

School · Pickford Public Schools

PO Box 278, Pickford, MI 49774

Enrollment

433

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#163 of 279

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Pickford Public Schools

Pickford Public Schools is a rural K-12 institution nestled in the heart of Pickford, Michigan. With an enrollment of 433 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school provides a personalized learning environment supported by its dedicated staff of 30 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite having a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10 and ranking in the 39th percentile for Michigan schools, Pickford Public Schools continues to focus on student development and community engagement.

The school’s academic performance shows areas with room for growth; only 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 24% meet proficiency standards in math. However, the small-town charm and tight-knit community offer a nurturing atmosphere that encourages learning and personal growth beyond traditional metrics. Pickford Public Schools thrives within its rural setting, fostering strong bonds between families and educators to create an inclusive educational experience for all students.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Pickford Public Schools are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Pickford Public Schools 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 Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.8%
Math vs. State Avg-20 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.1 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,603

Pickford Public Schools — Students at Pickford Public Schools score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

52%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 36.6%
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
28%
ELA
39%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
22.3%
ELA
35.5%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Pickford Public Schools Compares

See how Pickford Public Schools performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.4/10
51th percentile in MI
Academic
4.3/10
4.3/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

PO Box 278, Pickford, MI 49774

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pickford Public Schools may also want to explore other schools in the area. EUPISD Learning Center (rated 9.0/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Kincheloe), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cedarville School (rated 8.8/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Cedarville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Rudyard Area Schools (rated 8.0/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Rudyard), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Pickford, see our Pickford schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.5 mi
School Distance Rating
EUPISD Learning Center Kincheloe 9.3 mi 9.0
Consolidated Community School Services Kincheloe 8.9 mi 7.1
Cedarville School Cedarville 10.8 mi 8.8
Lake Superior Academy Sault S. Marie 15.4 mi 6.3
Rudyard Area Schools Rudyard 12.4 mi 8.0
RUDYARD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Rudyard 13.0 mi
Malcolm High School Sault S. Marie 18.5 mi 6.1
Sault Area High School Sault Sainte Marie 22.3 mi 6.6
Sault Area Middle School Sault Sainte Marie 22.4 mi 4.6
Brimley Area School Brimley 19.9 mi 7.5
Joseph K Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe Academy Sault Sainte Marie 22.6 mi 5.9
Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe School Sault Ste. Marie 22.6 mi
Lincoln School Sault Sainte Marie 22.9 mi 7.5
Washington Elementary School Sault Sainte Marie 23.1 mi 5.7
ST MARY'S SCHOOL Sault Sainte Marie 23.7 mi 6.2
EUPISD Project Search Sault S. Marie 23.7 mi
Ojibwe Charter School Brimley 23.4 mi 7.7
Mackinac Island School Mackinac Island 24.7 mi 7.9
Bois Blanc Pines School Pointe Aux Pins 29.6 mi
St Ignace Juvenile Detention Facility Saint Ignace 25.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49774 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,350

Median Home Value

$168,000

Median Rent

$850/mo

Population

1,994

College Educated

27.1%

Homeownership

93.9%

Avg Commute

22.2 min

Poverty Rate

5.7%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pickford Public Schools has a median household income of $80,350. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,000, with a median rent of $850/month. The local poverty rate of 5.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 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
Hope Academy of West Michigan Grand Rapids, MI 6.4
Stephenson Area Public School Stephenson, MI 6.4
iCampus Virtual Learning School Clinton Twp, MI 6.4
Fairview School Fairview, MI 6.5
Francis Reh PSA Saginaw, MI 6.5
GENESEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Burton, MI 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pickford Public Schools

What grades does Pickford Public Schools serve?

Pickford Public Schools serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Pickford Public Schools?

Pickford Public Schools has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pickford Public Schools?

The student-teacher ratio at Pickford Public Schools is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pickford Public Schools rank in MI?

Pickford Public Schools is ranked #1552 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Pickford Public Schools's MySchoolScout rating?

Pickford Public Schools has a composite rating of 6.4 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 Pickford Public Schools?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pickford Public Schools has 23.7% math proficiency and 36.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pickford Public Schools a charter school?

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

Is Pickford Public Schools a Title I school?

No, Pickford Public Schools is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pickford Public Schools?

52.0% of students at Pickford Public Schools 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 (66/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
52.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Chippewa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pickford Public Schools
District Enrollment
433
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,097
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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