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Needs Improvement

#3139 of 3,190 schools in MI

Suttons Bay Senior High School

High School · Suttons Bay Public Schools

310 Elm Street PO Box 367, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Enrollment

143

Student-Teacher

28.6:1

Score

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Suttons Bay

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan high schools

#800 of 812

In district

#3 of 3

Suttons Bay Public Schools

About Suttons Bay Senior High School

Suttons Bay Senior High School is a regular public high school located in the rural setting of Suttons Bay, Michigan. With an enrollment of just 143 students and a student-teacher ratio of 28.6:1, the school offers a relatively intimate learning environment supported by five full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Suttons Bay Senior High School is rated at 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout, placing it in the 32nd percentile among Michigan schools, with room for improvement in state rankings.

In terms of subject proficiency, the school reports that 47% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while only 30% achieve similar levels in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development to help improve academic performance. Suttons Bay Senior High School sits nestled within a rural area near the town of Suttons Bay, providing a close-knit community feel for its students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 143 students, Suttons Bay Senior High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

The student-teacher ratio at Suttons Bay Senior High School is 28.6:1, 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, Suttons Bay Senior 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 Progress3.6Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-3.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics5.7Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile39th
College Readiness2.1Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation2.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio28.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,614

Suttons Bay Senior High School — Students at Suttons Bay Senior High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

53.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
32%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Suttons Bay Senior High School Compares

See how Suttons Bay Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in MI
Academic
5.7/10
5.7/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
54%
Teaching Staff
29:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers

Location

310 Elm Street PO Box 367, Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Suttons Bay Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central High School (rated 7.7/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Senior High (rated 7.3/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, The Greenspire School (rated 7.1/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Traverse City), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Suttons Bay, see our Suttons Bay schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Suttons Bay Elementary Middle School Suttons Bay 0.1 mi 6.9
Suttons Bay Virtual School Suttons Bay 0.1 mi 6.4
Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy Lake Leelanau 2.6 mi 7.2
Leland Public School Leland 6.1 mi 6.7
Northport Public School Northport 11.1 mi 6.9
Old Mission Peninsula School Traverse City 9.4 mi 9.0
THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL Traverse City 11.5 mi 7.3
Willow Hill Elementary School Traverse City 13.7 mi 5.1
Central Grade School Traverse City 14.6 mi 8.2
Central High School Traverse City 14.4 mi 7.7
Eastern Elementary School Traverse City 14.4 mi 4.4
North EdBridgeway Traverse City 14.7 mi 6.0
The Greenspire School Traverse City 15.0 mi 7.1
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City 15.1 mi 6.5
North EdCreekside School Traverse City 15.1 mi 7.7
West Senior High Traverse City 15.4 mi 7.3
TCAPS Montessori School Traverse City 15.6 mi 9.2
Traverse Heights Elem School Traverse City 15.5 mi 4.9
THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE Traverse City 15.7 mi 7.0
North EdNew Horizons Traverse City 15.5 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49682 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,688

Median Home Value

$367,400

Median Rent

$1,227/mo

Population

4,528

College Educated

42.2%

Homeownership

86.7%

Avg Commute

25.9 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

53.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Suttons Bay Senior High School has a median household income of $89,688. It is a well-educated community where 42% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $367,400, with a median rent of $1,227/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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
Harper Academy Harper Woods, MI 3.5
Hudson Tech Alternative Hudson, MI 3.5
Berrien Springs Discovery Academy Berrien Sprgs, MI 3.7
Port Huron Schools Phoenix Academy Port Huron, MI 3.9
Blended Learning Academies Credit Recovery High School Lansing, MI 4.0
Onaway Senior High School Onaway, MI 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Suttons Bay Senior High School

What grades does Suttons Bay Senior High School serve?

Suttons Bay Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Suttons Bay Senior High School?

Suttons Bay Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 143 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Suttons Bay Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Suttons Bay Senior High School is 28.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Suttons Bay Senior High School rank in MI?

Suttons Bay Senior High School is ranked #3139 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Suttons Bay Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Suttons Bay Senior High School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Suttons Bay Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Suttons Bay Senior High School has 29.5% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Suttons Bay Senior High School a charter school?

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

Is Suttons Bay Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Suttons Bay Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Suttons Bay Senior High School?

53.8% of students at Suttons Bay Senior 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

County Safety
Average (279/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher Ratio
28.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Leelanau County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Suttons Bay Public Schools
District Enrollment
551
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,718
District Rank
#3 of 3

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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