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Below Average

#2935 of 3,190 schools in MI

Tawas Area Middle School

Middle School · Tawas Area Schools

255 W M55, Tawas City, MI 48763

Enrollment

354

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

4.3

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tawas City

#5 of 5

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#464 of 497

In district

#3 of 3

Tawas Area Schools

About Tawas Area Middle School

Tawas Area Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the remote town of Tawas City, Michigan. The school serves students from fifth through eighth grade and has an enrollment of 354 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 19.7:1 and 18 full-time equivalent teachers, the school aims to provide personalized attention to each student.

However, academic performance data suggests there is room for improvement; Tawas Area Middle School ranks in the 24th percentile among Michigan schools with an overall MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and a state ranking of #2426 out of 3204 schools. In terms of subject proficiency, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading while only 30% achieve the same level in Math. Despite these challenges, Tawas Area Middle School continues to focus on student development and community engagement within its remote setting.

The school's location offers a close-knit community atmosphere where teachers and families work together to support students' growth and learning needs.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.2Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.16 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.1Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.1%
Math vs. State Avg-1.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.6 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-4.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,877

Tawas Area Middle School — Students at Tawas Area Middle School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

55.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.2%
School
State
32.3%
ELA Proficiency 45.4%
School
State
44.9%

Based on 14 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
36%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
29.5%
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: 3.2/10.

How Tawas Area Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.3/10
8th percentile in MI
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
3.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
55%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers

Location

255 W M55, Tawas City, MI 48763

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tawas Area Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Au GresSims Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Au Gres), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hale Area School (rated 8.1/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Hale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Iosco RESA Special Education (rated 8.0/10, 2.5 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 High School Tawas City 0.0 mi 4.5
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 Middle 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
Newaygo Middle School Newaygo, MI 4.3
South Lake Middle School Saint Clair Shores, MI 4.3
Caro Middle School Caro, MI 4.2
Jefferson Middle School Monroe, MI 4.2
Sheridan Road Lansing, MI 4.2
Summit Academy North Middle School Romulus, MI 4.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tawas Area Middle School

What grades does Tawas Area Middle School serve?

Tawas Area Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Tawas Area Middle School?

Tawas Area Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 354 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Tawas Area Middle School is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tawas Area Middle School rank in MI?

Tawas Area Middle School is ranked #2935 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Tawas Area Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tawas Area Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Tawas Area Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tawas Area Middle School has 30.2% math proficiency and 45.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tawas Area Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Tawas Area Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

55.1% of students at Tawas Area Middle 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
5th – 8th
Enrollment
354
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
55.1%
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
#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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