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
Enrollment
222
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Waldron Area Schools — Students at Waldron Area Schools score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 18 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 13.95% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22.37% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (517) 286-6251
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.