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Average

#1640 of 3,190 schools in MI

Shepherd High School

High School · Shepherd Public Schools

321 SOUTH 4TH ST, Shepherd, MI 48883

Enrollment

529

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

6.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shepherd

#3 of 4

public schools

Michigan high schools

#344 of 812

In district

#4 of 5

Shepherd Public Schools

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Shepherd High School

Shepherd High School is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Shepherd, Michigan. The school serves students from ninth through twelfth grade and has an enrollment of 529 students. With a student-teacher ratio of 23:1, Shepherd High provides personalized attention to its students while maintaining manageable class sizes.

The faculty consists of 23 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting the academic and personal growth of each student. According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Shepherd High School has an overall score of 6.1 out of 10, placing it at the 62nd percentile among Michigan schools. Its academic performance is highlighted by a state ranking of #1208 out of 3204 schools in Michigan and an academic score of 7.6/10.

In terms of standardized testing, 60% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 42% meet proficiency standards in Math. Shepherd High School is situated in a rural area, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere and opportunities for outdoor activities and sports. The school focuses on student development and offers various programs to support academic improvement and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd High School is 23:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Shepherd 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 Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-1.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.0Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected+2.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile69th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,191

Shepherd High School — Students at Shepherd High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 42.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
57%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Shepherd High School Compares

See how Shepherd High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
49th percentile in MI
Academic
8.0/10
8.0/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers

Location

321 SOUTH 4TH ST, Shepherd, MI 48883

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shepherd High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WAY Oasis (rated 7.7/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alma Senior High School (rated 6.7/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Alma), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Odyssey MiddleHigh School (rated 6.6/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Mount Pleasant), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shepherd, see our Shepherd schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 9.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Shepherd Elementary School Shepherd 0.1 mi 7.0
Shepherd Middle School Shepherd 0.1 mi 4.9
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi 7.2
Odyssey MiddleHigh School Mount Pleasant 5.3 mi 6.6
WAY Oasis Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi 7.7
Isabella Day Treatment Mount Pleasant 5.6 mi
Renaissance Public School Academy Mount Pleasant 6.1 mi 4.1
Mt Pleasant Senior High School Mount Pleasant 6.1 mi 6.3
Mary McGuire School Mount Pleasant 6.7 mi 6.1
Pullen Elementary School Mount Pleasant 6.7 mi 7.2
Fancher School Mount Pleasant 6.5 mi 6.6
Vowles School Mount Pleasant 6.5 mi 7.3
SACRED HEART ACADEMY Mount Pleasant 7.0 mi 6.8
Ganiard School Mount Pleasant 7.5 mi 7.7
Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma 8.9 mi 5.0
Mt Pleasant Middle School Mt. Pleasant 7.7 mi 6.4
Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis 8.4 mi 6.3
Alma Senior High School Alma 9.2 mi 6.7
GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca 9.2 mi 6.8
Pine Avenue Elementary School Alma 9.4 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48883 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$66,364

Median Home Value

$154,600

Median Rent

$841/mo

Population

6,755

College Educated

21.6%

Homeownership

88.3%

Avg Commute

22.7 min

Poverty Rate

13.1%

Median Age

41.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shepherd High School has a median household income of $66,364. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,600, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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
Asher School Southgate, MI 6.3
Bendle High School Burton, MI 6.3
Genesee High School Genesee, MI 6.3
Henry Ford High School Detroit, MI 6.3
James R Geisler Middle School Commerce Township, MI 6.3
Mason County Central HS Scottville, MI 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shepherd High School

What grades does Shepherd High School serve?

Shepherd High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Shepherd High School?

Shepherd High School has an enrollment of approximately 529 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd High School is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shepherd High School rank in MI?

Shepherd High School is ranked #1640 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Shepherd High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shepherd High School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Shepherd High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shepherd High School has 42.0% math proficiency and 59.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shepherd High School a charter school?

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

Is Shepherd High School a Title I school?

No, Shepherd High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shepherd High School?

43.5% of students at Shepherd 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
Average (664/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
529
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Isabella County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Shepherd Public Schools
District Enrollment
1,768
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,837
District Rank
#4 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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