Summary:
Newaygo High School is the sole high school in the Newaygo Public School District, serving grades 9 through 12 with 460 students in a rural Michigan community where 61% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
This school presents a mixed picture for parents. On the positive side, the graduation rate is a strong 92%, well above the state average of 84%, and the dropout rate is lower than the state figure. The school also shines in social studies, where 51.6% of 11th graders are proficient on the M-Step—8.4 points above the state average. Ninth-grade English language arts also meets the state benchmark at 56.6% proficiency. However, mathematics is a serious concern. Proficiency rates are critically low across all grades: 24.2% in 9th grade, 16.2% in 10th grade, and just 15.1% in 11th grade on the SAT, compared to a 26.5% state average. This downward trend suggests students fall further behind as they progress. Reading and writing scores on the SAT (43%) and 10th-grade ELA (47.5%) also trail state averages.
Several operational factors stand out. Chronic absenteeism affects 32% of students—higher than the state's 27.9%—which likely impacts learning. The district spends a substantial $18,738 per student, yet maintains a high student-to-teacher ratio of 18.8, suggesting funds may not be directed toward reducing class sizes. The district overall ranks 400th out of 625 in Michigan, earning a 2-star rating. The contrast between strong social studies performance and weak math results indicates students are capable learners, but math instruction or support may need targeted intervention. Parents should weigh the excellent graduation outcomes and social studies success against the math deficits and absenteeism challenges when considering this school.
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