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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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-0.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendStable
Academics8.6Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency51%
Reading/ELA Proficiency67%
Overall Proficiency59%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected+3.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile78th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation32%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,986

West Senior High — Students at West Senior High score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

29.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 52.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 67.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
54%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
51%
ELA
67%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.3/10
74th percentile in MI
Academic
8.6/10
8.6/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
59 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
27 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Traverse City Area Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,655
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,840
District Rank
#5 of 16

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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