Very Good
#99 of 462 private schools in MI
Top 21% of private schools
The Pathfinder School
Elementary School
11930 S W BAY SHORE DR, Traverse City, MI 49684
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
133
Student-Teacher
8.9:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2021-22
Data vintage2021-22
How this school compares
Michigan private schools
#99 of 462
In Traverse City
#1 of 5
public schools
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The Pathfinder School
Elementary School in Traverse City · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Willow Hill Elementary School
2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Central Grade School
3.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About The Pathfinder School
The Pathfinder School is a private elementary school in Traverse City, MI. The Pathfinder School serves approximately 133 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 8.9:1 student-teacher ratio. The Pathfinder School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #99 of 462 private schools in MI.
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- MI avg 6.1
What Parents Should Know
At 133 students, The Pathfinder School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
At 8.9:1 students to teachers, The Pathfinder School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.
The Pathfinder School is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Pathfinder School compares to 21 public schools serving similar grades in Traverse City, MI
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Pathfinder School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Willow Hill Elementary School | 7.9 |
| Central Grade School | 7.8 |
| Central High School | 7.5 |
| The Greenspire School | 5.1 |
| North EdCreekside School | 5.5 |
| North EdBridgeway | 6.0 |
| Eastern Elementary School | 6.7 |
| TCAPS Montessori School | 8.8 |
| Traverse Heights Elem School | 3.9 |
| North EdNew Horizons | 7.7 |
| West Middle School | 7.2 |
| Long Lake Elementary School | 6.4 |
| Grand Traverse Academy | 6.7 |
| Cherry Knoll Elementary School | 6.5 |
| Old Mission Peninsula School | 9.4 |
| East Middle School | 7.0 |
| Silver Lake Elementary School | 4.5 |
| Westwoods Elementary School | 7.2 |
| Courtade Elementary School | 8.4 |
| Blair Elementary School | 6.5 |
Showing 20 of 21 schools. View all schools in Traverse City
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
PreliminaryWhat This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MI.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MI
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
11930 S W BAY SHORE DR, Traverse City, MI 49684
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Pathfinder School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. TCAPS Montessori School (rated 8.8/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Willow Hill Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central Grade School (rated 7.8/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Traverse City, see our Traverse City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Willow Hill Elementary School Traverse City | 2.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Central Grade School Traverse City | 3.1 mi | 7.8 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City | 3.5 mi | 6.6 |
| The Greenspire School Traverse City | 3.6 mi | 5.1 |
| North EdCreekside School Traverse City | 3.6 mi | 5.5 |
| TCAPS Montessori School Traverse City | 4.1 mi | 8.8 |
| North EdBridgeway Traverse City | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Central High School Traverse City | 3.5 mi | 7.5 |
| West Middle School Traverse City | 4.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Eastern Elementary School Traverse City | 3.7 mi | 6.7 |
| Traverse Heights Elem School Traverse City | 4.2 mi | 3.9 |
| North EdNew Horizons Traverse City | 4.2 mi | 7.7 |
| The Greenspire High School Travse City | 4.6 mi | 3.9 |
| TRAVERSE BAY MENNONITE SCHOOL Traverse City | 4.3 mi | — |
| West Senior High Traverse City | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE Traverse City | 4.6 mi | 7.0 |
| North EdCareer Tech Traverse City | 5.5 mi | — |
| Life Skills Center Traverse City | 5.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Traverse City High School Traverse City | 5.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Long Lake Elementary School Traverse City | 5.8 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49684 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$75,678
Median Home Value
$375,700
Median Rent
$1,216/mo
Population
21,328
College Educated
46.4%
Homeownership
66.4%
Avg Commute
19.2 min
Poverty Rate
8.5%
Median Age
48.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bertha Neal School Durand, MI | 7.4 |
| EAGLE CREEK ACADEMY Oakland, MI | 7.4 |
| Madison District Early Childhood Education Center Madison Heights, MI | 7.4 |
| SOUTH SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Holland, MI | 7.4 |
| ST MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Williamston, MI | 7.4 |
| Sherwood Global Studies Academy Grand Rapids, MI | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Pathfinder School
What grades does The Pathfinder School serve?
The Pathfinder School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend The Pathfinder School?
The Pathfinder School has an enrollment of approximately 133 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Pathfinder School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Pathfinder School is 8.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Pathfinder School rank in MI?
The Pathfinder School ranks #99 of 462 private schools in MI.
What is The Pathfinder School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Pathfinder School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
Is The Pathfinder School a private school?
Yes, The Pathfinder School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Pathfinder School a religious school?
No, The Pathfinder School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 133
- Gender Split
- 40% M / 60% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 15
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 167 days
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Leelanau County
- Phone
- (231) 995-3800
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