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Below Average

#2866 of 3,190 schools in MI

Tawas Area High School

High School · Tawas Area Schools

255 WEST M 55, Tawas City, MI 48763

Enrollment

348

Student-Teacher

20.5:1

Score

4.5

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tawas City

#4 of 5

public schools

Michigan high schools

#704 of 812

In district

#2 of 3

Tawas Area Schools

Equity

7.5 / 10

Very strong

About Tawas Area High School

Tawas Area High School is a regular public high school located in the remote town of Tawas City, Michigan. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 348 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.5 to 1, with 17 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Tawas Area High School shows that 57% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 40% meet proficiency standards in Math.

According to MySchoolScout’s rating system, the school ranks 1772 out of 3204 schools statewide and has an academic score of 6.7 out of 10, placing it around the 45th percentile among Michigan high schools. The school's setting is in a remote area that offers a close-knit community feel. Tawas Area High School provides a supportive environment for its students to grow and develop academically and socially.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Tawas Area High School is 20.5:1, 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.

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
Academics7.3Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37%
Reading/ELA Proficiency52%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-0.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.2Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,877

Tawas Area High School — Students at Tawas Area High School score 44% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

46.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 39.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
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
42%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
52%

* 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 Tawas Area High School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in MI
Academic
7.3/10
7.3/10
Growth
3.6/10
Below average
Environment
3.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
17 teachers

Location

255 WEST M 55, Tawas City, MI 48763

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tawas Area High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Au GresSims High School (rated 7.4/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Au Gres), which scores notably higher. Another option is Alcona Community High School (rated 7.0/10, 26.9 miles away, in nearby Harrisville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Alternative Educational Academy of Iosco County (rated 6.2/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tawas City, see our Tawas City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 32.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Tawas Area Middle School Tawas City 0.0 mi 4.3
Clara B Bolen Elementary School Tawas City 0.2 mi 4.8
Alternative Educational Academy of Iosco County Tawas City 0.7 mi 6.2
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL East Tawas 1.9 mi 5.8
Iosco RESA Special Education Tawas City 2.5 mi 8.0
Richardson Elementary School Oscoda 12.5 mi 6.6
Oscoda Area High School Oscoda 12.6 mi 6.2
PINECREST SCHOOL Hale 13.5 mi
Au GresSims Elementary School Au Gres 18.0 mi 9.1
Au GresSims High School Au Gres 18.0 mi 7.4
Au GresSims Middle School Au Gres 18.0 mi 5.8
Hale Area School Hale 15.2 mi 8.1
WhittemorePrescott Area Elementary Whittemore 17.4 mi 4.4
WhittemorePrescott JrSr High School Whittemore 17.6 mi 5.6
Alcona Community High School Harrisville 26.9 mi 7.0
Alcona Elementary School Harrisville 27.1 mi 4.6
Caseville School K12 Caseville 26.7 mi 7.4
StandishSterling Central JrSr High School Standish 27.7 mi 5.7
StandishSterling Central Elementary School Standish 28.1 mi 7.1
ST JOHN'S EV. LUTHERAN SCHOOL Pigeon 32.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48763 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,160

Median Home Value

$154,100

Median Rent

$851/mo

Population

4,837

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

88.4%

Avg Commute

22.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.5%

Median Age

51.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tawas Area High School has a median household income of $58,160. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,100, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. 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
Covenant High School Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, MI 4.5
Detroit Community Schools High School Detroit, MI 4.5
Hartford High School Hartford, MI 4.5
Marlette JrSr High School Marlette, MI 4.5
Pinconning High School Pinconning, MI 4.5
Bad Axe High School Bad Axe, MI 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tawas Area High School

What grades does Tawas Area High School serve?

Tawas Area High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Tawas Area High School?

Tawas Area High School has an enrollment of approximately 348 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tawas Area High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tawas Area High School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tawas Area High School rank in MI?

Tawas Area High School is ranked #2866 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Tawas Area High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tawas Area High School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Tawas Area High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tawas Area High School has 39.5% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tawas Area High School a charter school?

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

Is Tawas Area High School a Title I school?

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

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

46.6% of students at Tawas Area 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
Elevated (1,353/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
348
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Free/Reduced Lunch
46.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Iosco County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tawas Area Schools
District Enrollment
1,138
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,159
District Rank
#2 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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