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Very Good

#634 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 20% in state

Three Lakes Academy

Elementary School · Three Lakes Academy

W17540 Main Street PO Box 159, Curtis, MI 49820

Charter

Enrollment

100

Student-Teacher

12.5:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan elementary schools

#400 of 1,602

School environment

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Three Lakes Academy

Three Lakes Academy serves 100 students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade in the small community of Curtis, Michigan. This public charter elementary school maintains an intimate learning environment with just 8 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a favorable 12.5-to-1 student-teacher ratio that allows for personalized attention and close relationships between educators and students. The school has earned recognition for its academic performance, ranking #354 out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 89th percentile among Michigan elementary schools.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the school's location and the socioeconomic challenges facing many families in the area. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10, Three Lakes Academy demonstrates strong educational outcomes for its student population. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $45,417 and about one-third of residents face economic hardships.

Despite these challenges, the school provides a stable educational foundation during the crucial early learning years, serving families from pre-K through elementary grades in this close-knit rural setting. Three Lakes Academy operates in the heart of Mackinac County's remote rural landscape, where the small population of 200 residents creates a tight-knit community atmosphere that extends into the classroom.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 100 students, Three Lakes Academy 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.

Three Lakes Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Located in a rural area, Three Lakes Academy 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.64 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.2Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency20.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.6%
Math vs. State Avg-21.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-1.3 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile45th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,505

Three Lakes Academy — Students at Three Lakes Academy score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.8%
School
State
34.6%
ELA Proficiency 41.7%
School
State
42.3%

Based on 14 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
21.1%
ELA
45.1%

* 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: 7.5/10.

How Three Lakes Academy Compares

See how Three Lakes Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
80th percentile in MI
Academic
6.2/10
6.2/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

W17540 Main Street PO Box 159, Curtis, MI 49820

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Three Lakes Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 29.0 miles away, in nearby Manistique), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Emerald Elementary School (rated 5.3/10, 28.7 miles away, in nearby Manistique), a more accessible option. For more schools in Curtis, see our Curtis schools guide .

Nearby Schools

8 within 28.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Engadine Schools Engadine 11.0 mi 7.1
Newberry Area School Newberry 15.5 mi 5.5
Burt Township School Grand Marais 33.6 mi 8.0
Beaver Island Community School Beaver Island 33.8 mi 7.3
Emerald Elementary School Manistique 28.7 mi 5.3
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Manistique 29.0 mi 7.3
Manistique Middle and High School Manistique 28.9 mi 4.7
BETHEL BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Manistique 28.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49820 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,958

Median Home Value

$105,400

Median Rent

$517/mo

Population

180

College Educated

17.5%

Homeownership

83.5%

Poverty Rate

15.6%

Median Age

65

Community Profile

The community surrounding Three Lakes Academy has a median household income of $58,958. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $105,400, with a median rent of $517/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Hemlock Elementary School Hemlock, MI 7.5
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL Stevensville, MI 7.5
SUMMERS-KNOLL SCHOOL Ann Arbor, MI 7.5
DEARBORN HEIGHTS MONTESSORI CENTER Dearborn Heights, MI 7.6
EAGLE CREEK ACADEMY Oakland, MI 7.4
Faxon Academy Southfield, MI 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Three Lakes Academy

What grades does Three Lakes Academy serve?

Three Lakes Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Three Lakes Academy?

Three Lakes Academy has an enrollment of approximately 100 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Three Lakes Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Three Lakes Academy is 12.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Three Lakes Academy rank in MI?

Three Lakes Academy is ranked #634 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Three Lakes Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Three Lakes Academy has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Three Lakes Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Three Lakes Academy has 23.8% math proficiency and 41.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Three Lakes Academy a charter school?

Yes, Three Lakes Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Three Lakes Academy a Title I school?

No, Three Lakes Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Three Lakes Academy?

70.0% of students at Three Lakes Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

9 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (635/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
100
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Mackinac County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Three Lakes Academy
District Enrollment
100
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,452
District Rank
#1 of 1

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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