Crawford AuSable Schools

Crawford AuSable Schools is a mid-sized Michigan district serving roughly 1,640 students across four schools—Grayling Elementary School (PK-4), Grayling Middle School (5-8), Grayling High School (9-12), and Great Lakes Online Education (K-12 alternative)—in a predominantly rural area with significant economic disadvantage.

The standout is Grayling High School, which earns 4 stars and ranks in the 86th percentile statewide. It posts a 95.8% graduation rate, a 0% dropout rate, and SAT math proficiency (47.2%) nearly double the state average—all while spending the least of the traditional schools ($15,305 per student). In contrast, Grayling Middle School has slipped from a 4-star to a 3-star rating over two years, dropping from the 80th to the 54th percentile. Despite spending an extraordinary $26,635 per student—1.7 times the high school’s rate—its 6th grade ELA proficiency is just 19.3%, less than half the state average. Grayling Elementary School earns 2 stars, with math and ELA proficiency in the 29-35% range, below state averages. The Great Lakes Online Education program serves the district’s most disadvantaged students (76% free/reduced lunch) but spends only $5,982 per student, yielding a 63.1% graduation rate and a 15.7% dropout rate.

Key takeaways for parents: the high school is a clear academic success story, but the middle school shows a troubling “drop-off” pattern—especially between 5th and 6th grade—that may signal transition or curriculum issues. Chronic absenteeism is highest at the high school (33.6%), yet it still graduates students at exceptional rates, suggesting effective interventions for attendees. The district’s overall 3-star rating masks wide internal variation, and the stark spending gap between the middle school and the online academy raises questions about resource equity. If you’re considering this district, the high school is a strong choice, but watch middle school trends closely as struggling cohorts may eventually affect high school outcomes.