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Bear Lake High School

Q: Is Bear Lake High School a good school?

Bear Lake High School ranks 444 th of 800 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

444^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 800 Michigan High Schools

Better than 44% of Michigan high schools

Summary

Bear Lake High School is a small, rural public school in Bear Lake, MI, serving 133 students in grades 7 through 12 within the Bear Lake Schools district. Over 60% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community.

This school is a study in contrasts. On one hand, Bear Lake showed exceptional results with its low-income students, ranking in the 91st percentile statewide for effectiveness with this group in 2024-2025—far outpacing its overall school ranking. Students also performed remarkably well in reading and writing, with 72% proficiency on the SAT, beating the state average of 55.4% and all nearby schools. However, math tells a different story: only 24% of students were proficient, below the state average and well behind Frankfort High School's 44.7%. The school's overall state ranking has also been highly volatile, swinging from the 92nd percentile in 2022-2023, down to the 23rd percentile the next year, and back up to the 70th percentile in 2024-2025—a pattern far more erratic than the relatively stable rankings of nearby schools like Frankfort and Manistee Middle High School.

The most pressing concern is student retention. After achieving a perfect 100% graduation rate in 2022-2023, the rate has plummeted to 69.5% in 2024-2025—14.5 points below the state average and the lowest among comparable local high schools. The dropout rate has correspondingly surged to 13.0%, nearly double the state average and higher than nearby schools like Frankfort (7.5%) and Manistee (5.7%). This crisis persists despite per-student spending that has nearly doubled to $22,327, the second-highest in the area. Interestingly, chronic absenteeism at 25.1% is actually lower than the state average and much better than schools like Benzie Central Senior High School (44.6%), suggesting that students who stay enrolled attend fairly regularly. With a high student-to-teacher ratio of 21.8—nearly double Frankfort's—Bear Lake faces clear challenges in providing the individualized support needed to keep students on track through graduation.

133

Students ?

21.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$22,327

Per pupil spending ?

60.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7748 Cody St
Bear Lake, MI 49614-9789

(231) 864-3133

District: Bear Lake Schools

Feeder schools for Bear Lake High School:

Elementary:

Bear Lake Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

80.5%

Hispanic:

14.3%

Two or more races:

3.0%

See top rated Michigan high schools

Compare Bear Lake High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 40th percentile in 2013 → 44th in 2026

Worth a look

!Graduation rate below the Michigan average (70% vs 84%)

!Dropout rate above the Michigan average (13% vs 7%)

!Science scores 12 pts below the Michigan average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg42%

Michigan avg43%

Middle school

381^st of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 43%▲ up 38 pts since 2016

From bottom 20% (2016) to top 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

444^th of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Bottom 44%▼ down 44 pts since 2016

From top 11% (2016) to bottom 44% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

244^th of 625Bear Lake Schools among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	52.8	381 of 896	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.1	289 of 890	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.3	497 of 897	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	47.4	423 of 883	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	40.3	451 of 776	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	60.6	265 of 792	66.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	35.7	575 of 838	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2017	36.8	490 of 821	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	19.7	717 of 894	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	34.8	617 of 919	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	75.4	181 of 921	80.3%	★★★★☆
2013	53.3	436 of 919	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	64.6	291 of 900	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	46.9	583 of 858	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	71.1	267 of 851	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2009	58.8	463 of 847	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	58.9	453 of 839	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2007	80.5	110 of 823	86.6%	★★★★☆
2006	68.7	281 of 806	65.1%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	61.2	220 of 771	71.5%	★★★★☆
2018	49.9	399 of 794	49.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	64.5	219 of 834	73.7%	★★★★☆
2025	60.0	267 of 832	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.0	299 of 836	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	62.9	223 of 825	73.0%	★★★★☆
2018	52.8	371 of 815	54.5%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	67.3	209 of 813	74.3%	★★★★☆
2025	59.4	271 of 798	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	60.0	256 of 786	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.9	368 of 776	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	26.8	599 of 797	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	50.4	301 of 687	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.5	282 of 696	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	34.9	466 of 701	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	40.0	383 of 688	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	30.8	451 of 638	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	28.5	514 of 678	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	40.8	444 of 800	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	65.4	222 of 739	70.0%	★★★★☆
2024	23.4	572 of 743	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	89.1	58 of 735	92.1%	★★★★★
2018	50.6	401 of 824	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	54.8	332 of 835	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	85.5	94 of 852	89.0%	★★★★☆
2015	28.7	591 of 832	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	52.5	417 of 799	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	43.0	485 of 805	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.9	484 of 773	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	42.8	528 of 784	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2010	59.7	398 of 765	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2009	65.2	330 of 754	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	75.8	192 of 750	74.4%	★★★★☆
2007	63.8	326 of 767	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	37.1	521 of 705	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	47.5	347 of 686	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	57.5	250 of 629	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.9	343 of 710	51.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	47.5	375 of 719	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	86.6	55 of 635	91.3%	★★★★★
2018	67.3	200 of 755	73.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	40.5	409 of 693	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	71.5	147 of 628	76.6%	★★★★☆
2018	42.6	410 of 707	42.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	36.7	418 of 671	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	63.8	195 of 639	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	17.7	550 of 638	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	83.6	79 of 647	87.8%	★★★★☆
2018	42.6	406 of 708	42.7%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Male (2026)74th percentile+17 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)74th percentile+16 vs school

Female (2024)71st percentile+27 vs school

White (2026)56th percentile~ school

High school

Female (2026)49th percentile+5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)48th percentile+3 vs school

Male (2026)41st percentile-4 vs school

White (2026)38th percentile-7 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Math67%+33 vs state

English Language Arts51%-10 vs state

Social Studies35%-12 vs state

Mathematics26%-6 vs state

Science25%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Bear Lake High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)			PSAT Mathematics (2026)			SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step English Language Arts (2026)		M-Step Math (2026)		M-Step Science (2026)		M-Step Social Studies (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bear Lake High School	Public	7-12	7748 Cody St	Bear Lake	49614	Manistee County	Bear Lake Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 864-3133	133	6	21.8	60.9%	107 (80.5%)	1 (0.8%)	19 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.0%)	40.8	444^th of 800 public high schools	44.5%		65.4	222^nd of 739 public high schools	70.0%	222	65.0	55.0	40.6	20.0	45.0	18.8				73.3		66.7	25.0		35.0		$22,327	$1,219	$21,108
Brethren High School	Public	9-12	4400 N High Bridge Rd	Brethren	49619	Manistee County	Kaleva Norman Dickson School District	No	No	No	No	(231) 477-5353	140	8	16.9	60.7%	122 (87.1%)	1 (0.7%)	7 (5.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.0%)	1 (0.7%)	2 (1.4%)	40.4	448^th of 800 public high schools	44.0%		58	294^th of 739 public high schools	60.2%	154		50.0	39.3		20.6	28.6	42.9	434.8						33.3		47.6	$16,652	$1,516	$15,136
Oaks Correctional Facility	Public	9-12	1500 Caberfae Hwy	Manistee	49660	Manistee County	Michigan Department of Corrections	No	No	No	No	(231) 723-8272	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Benzie Academy	Public	6-12	9222 Homestead Rd	Benzonia	49616	Benzie County	Benzie County Central Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 882-4497	85	1	80.9	68.2%	76 (89.4%)	1 (1.2%)	3 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.5%)	17.1	631^st of 800 public high schools	21.1%					(n/a)		30.0	26.3		341.0	15.8	40.9	385.5						13.6		18.2	$5,299	$1,108	$4,191
Benzie Central Senior High School	Public	9-12	9300 Homestead Rd	Benzonia	49616	Benzie County	Benzie County Central Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 882-4497	292	18	16.2	49.7%	256 (87.7%)	1 (0.3%)	16 (5.5%)	5 (1.7%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (3.8%)	44.2	422^nd of 800 public high schools	47.3%		65.8	220^th of 739 public high schools	70.2%	202		53.0	52.2		38.6	21.7	53.1	18.4						32.7		17.0	$18,695	$1,304	$17,391
Casman Alternative Academy	Public, Magnet, Charter	7-12	225 9th St	Manistee	49660	Manistee County	Casman Alternative Academy	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	(231) 723-4981	65	5	12.4	98.5%	52 (80.0%)	5 (7.7%)	4 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (6.2%)	22.8	592^nd of 800 public high schools	26.0%					(n/a)		40.0	38.5		349.3	339.2	370.0	342.7						2070.8		2075.3	$12,594	$1,061	$11,533
Frankfort High School	Public	6-12	534 11th St	Frankfort	49635	Benzie County	Frankfort-Elberta Area Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 352-4781	248	20	12.5	50.0%	222 (89.5%)	1 (0.4%)	14 (5.6%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (3.2%)	77.5	132^nd of 800 public high schools	83.5%		76.9	138^th of 739 public high schools	81.3%	6	72.7	74.1	56.0	40.9	37.0	32.0	71.0	38.7	50.0	31.0	42.9	21.4	52.3	69.0	56.8	62.1	$23,209	$1,060	$22,149
Manistee Middle High School	Public	6-12	525 12th St	Manistee	49660	Manistee County	Manistee Area Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(231) 723-2547	685	33	20.5	30.5%	585 (85.4%)	13 (1.9%)	31 (4.5%)	8 (1.2%)	21 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.9%)	55.3	310^th of 800 public high schools	61.3%		63.7	238^th of 739 public high schools	67.8%	72	58.8	65.4	48.8	22.4	38.5	33.8	54.9	22.0	25.3	31.9	27.5	36.3	38.8	38.3	51.2	36.3	$15,915	$1,012	$14,903

Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Lake High School

What schools feed into Bear Lake High School?

Bear Lake High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Bear Lake Elementary School

How many students attend Bear Lake High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 133 students attended Bear Lake High School.

Is Bear Lake High School a good school?

Bear Lake High School ranks 444^th of 800 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Bear Lake High School?

Students at Bear Lake High School are 80% White, 14% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

What district is Bear Lake High School in?

Bear Lake Schools

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Schools in Bear Lake, MI

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.