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Average

#1825 of 3,190 schools in MI

Waldron Area Schools

School · Waldron Area Schools

13380 WALDRON RD, Waldron, MI 49288

Enrollment

222

Student-Teacher

17.1:1

Score

6.1

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#184 of 279

School environment

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Waldron Area Schools

Waldron Area Schools is a K-12 regular public school located in the remote rural setting of Waldron, Michigan, nestled within Hillsdale County. The school has an enrollment of 222 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 with 13 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size and tight-knit community, the academic performance at Waldron Area Schools is currently rated 3.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 14th percentile among Michigan schools.

In terms of proficiency rates, only 22% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, and 14% are proficient or above in math. Waldron Area Schools is focused on fostering a supportive educational environment where every student can grow and develop, particularly in areas with room for improvement academically. The school's remote location offers a close-knit community atmosphere that values education and supports its students as they navigate their academic journey.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Waldron Area Schools are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Waldron Area Schools 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 Progress6.5Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.44 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13.9%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.4%
Math vs. State Avg-27.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.5 pts
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness7.1Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,910

Waldron Area Schools — Students at Waldron Area Schools score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 14.3%
School
State
34.4%
ELA Proficiency 22.4%
School
State
44.3%

Based on 18 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
17%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
14.9%
ELA
21.8%

* 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: 6.5/10.

How Waldron Area Schools Compares

See how Waldron Area Schools performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.1/10
43th percentile in MI
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
6.5/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers

Location

13380 WALDRON RD, Waldron, MI 49288

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Waldron Area Schools may also want to explore other schools in the area. Hilltop Elementary School (rated 8.6/10, 10.4 miles away, in nearby West Unity), which scores notably higher. Another option is North Central Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Pioneer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Archbold Middle School (rated 7.9/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Archbold), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Waldron, see our Waldron schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Fayette Elementary School Fayette 6.9 mi 7.6
Fayette Jr/Sr High School Fayette 6.9 mi 7.4
SACRED HEART SCHOOL Hudson 9.0 mi 6.2
North Central Junior/High School Pioneer 7.6 mi 6.2
North Central Elementary School Pioneer 7.6 mi 7.9
Pittsford Area High School Pittsford 9.4 mi 5.3
Pittsford Area Elem School Pittsford 9.4 mi 5.2
Lincoln Elementary School Hudson 9.7 mi 3.5
Hudson Tech Alternative Hudson 9.6 mi 3.5
Hudson Middle School Hudson 9.9 mi 2.5
Hudson Area JRSR High School Hudson 9.9 mi 2.6
Hilltop High School West Unity 10.4 mi 7.3
Hilltop Elementary School West Unity 10.4 mi 8.6
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Pittsford 10.9 mi 5.6
Morenci Elementary School Morenci 10.9 mi 6.8
Morenci Middle and High School Morenci 11.0 mi 7.1
Stryker Elementary School Stryker 16.0 mi 7.7
Stryker High School Stryker 16.0 mi 7.0
Archbold Middle School Archbold 15.6 mi 7.9
Montpelier Elementary School Montpelier 14.3 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49288 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,903

Median Home Value

$131,800

Median Rent

$889/mo

Population

1,517

College Educated

11.7%

Homeownership

72.7%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

15.8%

Median Age

37

Community Profile

The community surrounding Waldron Area Schools has a median household income of $55,903. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $131,800, with a median rent of $889/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.8%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
DPSCD Virtual School Detroit, MI 6.1
Marshall Academy Marshall, MI 6.1
WakefieldMarenisco School Wakefield, MI 6.1
Walkerville Public School Walkerville, MI 6.1
Britton Deerfield SchoolsBritton Building Britton, MI 6.0
HARBOR LIGHT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Harbor Springs, MI 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Waldron Area Schools

What grades does Waldron Area Schools serve?

Waldron Area Schools serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Waldron Area Schools?

Waldron Area Schools has an enrollment of approximately 222 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Waldron Area Schools?

The student-teacher ratio at Waldron Area Schools is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Waldron Area Schools rank in MI?

Waldron Area Schools is ranked #1825 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Waldron Area Schools's MySchoolScout rating?

Waldron Area Schools has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Waldron Area Schools?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Waldron Area Schools has 14.3% math proficiency and 22.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Waldron Area Schools a charter school?

No, Waldron Area Schools is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Waldron Area Schools a Title I school?

No, Waldron Area Schools is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Waldron Area Schools?

73.9% of students at Waldron Area Schools 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 (372/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Hillsdale County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Waldron Area Schools
District Enrollment
222
Schools in District
1
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,954
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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