Harbor Springs School District

The Harbor Springs School District in Michigan consists of three schools: Harbor Springs Middle School, Harbor Springs High School, and Blackbird Elementary School. The district is ranked 110 out of 613 districts in Michigan and has a 4-star rating, indicating strong overall performance.

Among the three schools, Harbor Springs Middle School stands out as the top performer, consistently ranking in the top 20-25% of Michigan middle schools and outperforming the state on a variety of academic measures. In contrast, Blackbird Elementary School lags behind the district and state averages in 3rd and 4th grade math proficiency, which could indicate equity issues or challenges specific to the elementary school.

Across the district, all three schools face high chronic absenteeism rates, significantly above the state average. This is a concerning trend that may be impacting student learning and achievement. The district invests significantly in its schools, with spending per student ranging from $23,122 to $26,802 and relatively low student-teacher ratios, suggesting a focus on small class sizes and individual attention. However, the district should evaluate whether this high level of investment is translating into the desired academic outcomes and consider ways to optimize resource allocation, particularly in addressing the attendance challenges.