Summary:
McBain High School is the sole high school in the McBain Rural Agricultural Schools district, serving grades 9-12 with 294 students in a rural Michigan community.
This small school delivers exceptional student outcomes. The graduation rate stands at an impressive 98.5% compared to the state average of 84.0%, and the dropout rate is a perfect 0.0% versus the state's 7.1%. The school has earned a 4-star state ranking for 2025-2026, placing it in the 72nd percentile statewide, up from the 65th percentile the previous year. Academically, McBain outperforms state averages in most areas: 11th-grade science proficiency is 45.8% (state: 35.2%), SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing is 62.7% (state: 52.1%), and SAT Math is 33.9% (state: 26.5%). The school also shows strong year-over-year growth, with science proficiency jumping 8.5 points and SAT reading/writing rising 10.7 points. However, there are areas of concern. Chronic absenteeism is 24.0%, nearly double the district average of 12.5%, despite the school's excellent completion rates. Additionally, 10th-grade PSAT English Language Arts proficiency (53.1%) falls below the state average (58.0%), even as 9th and 11th-grade reading scores exceed state averages—a mid-high school dip worth noting.
With 38.44% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, McBain serves a moderate proportion of economically disadvantaged students yet still achieves strong results. Per-student spending is $14,952 with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, suggesting resources are used effectively. Math proficiency remains the weakest subject, and scores appear to plateau between 10th and 11th grade. Overall, McBain High School demonstrates that a smaller institution can deliver strong academic performance and near-perfect graduation rates, though families should be aware of the attendance challenges and the specific 10th-grade reading dip when considering this school.
Thank you for your feedback!