Very Good
#832 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 26% in state
West Senior High
High School · Traverse City Area Public Schools
5376 N LONG LAKE RD, Traverse City, MI 49685
Enrollment
1,471
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,471
Student-Teacher
24.9:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Traverse City
#10 of 23
public schools
Michigan high schools
#148 of 812
In district
#5 of 16
Traverse City Area Public Schools
Equity
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About West Senior High
West Senior High serves 1,471 students in grades 9-12 in Traverse City, Michigan, making it a sizable high school in the Grand Traverse County area. With 59 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 24.9:1, which is fairly typical for a large public high school setting. The school currently ranks in the lower tier of Michigan high schools, placing at #3071 out of 3,204 schools statewide, indicating significant room for academic growth and development.
While specific test score data isn't available, the school's leadership and community are likely working to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to better support student achievement. West Senior High draws from a community where the median household income is $75,035 and median home values reach $269,700, reflecting a middle-class area with relative economic stability. About one-third of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate stands at a manageable 12.7% among the ZIP code's 21,120 residents.
The school sits in a rural setting near town on North Long Lake Road, providing students with a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to the recreational opportunities that make the Traverse City area distinctive.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at West Senior High is 24.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, West Senior High 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
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West Senior High — Students at West Senior High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.4/10.
How West Senior High Compares
See how West Senior High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 51% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 67% (2019) to 67% (2021).
Location
5376 N LONG LAKE RD, Traverse City, MI 49685
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering West Senior High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Central High School (rated 7.7/10, 4.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is The Greenspire High School (rated 7.2/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Travse City), with a very similar rating. Additionally, The Greenspire School (rated 7.1/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Traverse City, see our Traverse City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| THE CHILDREN'S HOUSE Traverse City | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| West Middle School Traverse City | 1.6 mi | 6.4 |
| TCAPS Montessori School Traverse City | 1.9 mi | 9.2 |
| The Greenspire School Traverse City | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| North EdCreekside School Traverse City | 2.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Long Lake Elementary School Traverse City | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Willow Hill Elementary School Traverse City | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| Silver Lake Elementary School Traverse City | 3.6 mi | 5.3 |
| TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Traverse City | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Central Grade School Traverse City | 3.0 mi | 8.2 |
| The Greenspire High School Travse City | 3.3 mi | 7.2 |
| THE PATHFINDER SCHOOL Traverse City | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Blair Elementary School Traverse City | 5.9 mi | 7.6 |
| North EdNew Horizons Traverse City | 4.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Traverse Heights Elem School Traverse City | 4.2 mi | 4.9 |
| TRAVERSE BAY MENNONITE SCHOOL Traverse City | 4.2 mi | — |
| North EdBridgeway Traverse City | 4.6 mi | 6.0 |
| Westwoods Elementary School Traverse City | 5.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Central High School Traverse City | 4.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Eastern Elementary School Traverse City | 5.2 mi | 4.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49685 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$82,639
Median Home Value
$309,200
Median Rent
$1,338/mo
Population
21,297
College Educated
37.7%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
19 min
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Median Age
39.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding West Senior High has a median household income of $82,639. It is an area where 38% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $309,200, with a median rent of $1,338/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Fenton Senior High School Fenton, MI | 7.3 |
| Holt Senior High School Holt, MI | 7.3 |
| Utica High School Utica, MI | 7.3 |
| Canton High School Canton, MI | 7.2 |
| Dearborn High School Dearborn, MI | 7.2 |
| Hudsonville High School Hudsonville, MI | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about West Senior High
What grades does West Senior High serve?
West Senior High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend West Senior High?
West Senior High has an enrollment of approximately 1,471 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at West Senior High?
The student-teacher ratio at West Senior High is 24.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does West Senior High rank in MI?
West Senior High is ranked #832 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is West Senior High's MySchoolScout rating?
West Senior High has a composite rating of 7.3 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 West Senior High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Senior High has 52.5% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is West Senior High a charter school?
No, West Senior High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is West Senior High a Title I school?
No, West Senior High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Senior High?
29.8% of students at West Senior High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,471
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 24.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 59
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Grand Traverse County
- Phone
- (231) 933-7502
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Traverse City Area Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,655
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,840
- District Rank
- #5 of 16
Other Schools in This District
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
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