Moran Township School District

Moran Township School District is a small, rural district in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that operates just one school—Gros Cap School—serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade in the Saint Ignace area.

Because the district has only one school, Gros Cap School is the sole educational option for local families through middle school. With just 87 students, class sizes are very small, and the student-to-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 means children get a lot of individual attention. The school has shown a strong recent turnaround, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 78th percentile of Michigan elementary schools for 2025-2026—a big jump from the previous year’s 55th percentile. The most impressive academic result is in 6th grade math, where 53.33% of students are proficient, beating the state average by more than 21 percentage points. Science is also a clear strength, with 5th graders posting a 57.14% proficiency rate versus 40.3% statewide. Upper elementary grades (4th through 6th) generally perform at or above state averages in English language arts and math, though 3rd grade scores lag behind in both subjects, suggesting a possible area for early intervention.

Families should note that the school’s small cohorts mean year-to-year proficiency rates can swing dramatically based on just a few students’ test results. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 14.9%—nearly half the state average of 27.9%—pointing to strong community engagement. The district spends a substantial $22,487 per student, reflecting the higher fixed costs of running a small rural school. About 48% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and because the district and school are one and the same, the district’s strong 86th-percentile ranking directly mirrors Gros Cap School’s performance. For parents seeking a tight-knit environment with strong upper-grade academics and low absenteeism, this school offers a compelling option, though the small size means results can vary from year to year.