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Central Lake Public Schools

Q: Is Central Lake Public Schools a good school?

Central Lake Public Schools ranks 941 st of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

941^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Alternative Schools

Better than 37% of Michigan alternative schools

Summary

Central Lake Public Schools is a small, rural district in Central Lake, MI, serving about 223 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with nearly 75% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The district invests heavily in its students, spending $26,248 per pupil (2024-2025) and maintaining a favorable 9.9 student-teacher ratio—both notably higher than nearby districts like Ellsworth Community School ($19,400 per student) and Boyne Falls Public School ($22,288).

The most significant challenge is chronic absenteeism. At 40.4% for 2024-2025, it's far above the state average of 27.9% and nearly double the rates at nearby Ellsworth Community School (22.5%) and Northport Public School (18.6%). This attendance issue likely contributes to volatile graduation rates—after hitting 100% in 2023-2024, the rate dropped to 72.2% in 2024-2025, with a corresponding spike in dropouts to 16.6%. These swings reflect a small student body where a handful of students can dramatically shift yearly statistics.

Academically, results are mixed but show real strengths. In 2025-2026, 66.67% of 8th graders were proficient in Social Studies (state: 50.3%), and 81.25% of 10th graders were proficient in ELA on the PSAT (state: 58%), outperforming Ellsworth (47.1%) and Boyne Falls (27.27%). Math scores, however, are erratic—5th grade jumped from 28.57% to 45% proficiency in one year, while 4th grade fell from 36.8% to 17.65%. Notably, Northport Public School, with similar poverty levels (76% free/reduced lunch), achieves a 100% graduation rate and above-state-average scores, suggesting that addressing attendance could be the single most impactful strategy for Central Lake to stabilize and improve outcomes.

223

Students ?

9.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$26,248

Per pupil spending ?

74.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

8169 W State St
Central Lake, MI 49622-9720

(231) 544-3141

District: Central Lake Public Schools

Racial breakdown:

White:

92.4%

Two or more races:

3.6%

Hispanic:

1.8%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Central Lake Public Schools to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 44th percentile in 2023 → 57th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 13 percentile points since 2023

✓Small classes — about 10 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Graduation rate below the Michigan average (72% vs 84%)

!Dropout rate above the Michigan average (17% vs 7%)

!High chronic absenteeism (40% vs 28% Michigan)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school38%

District avg38%

Michigan avg41%

Elementary school

941^st of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Bottom 37%▲ up 13 pts since 2016

From bottom 24% (2016) to bottom 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

371^st of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 41%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From top 45% (2016) to top 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

345^th of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 43%▲ up 20 pts since 2016

From bottom 37% (2016) to top 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

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

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	34.0	941 of 1492	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	29.8	1017 of 1488	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	42.6	806 of 1486	45.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.4	986 of 1470	32.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	45.3	690 of 1344	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	39.6	682 of 1153	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	22.9	1088 of 1408	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	14.4	1291 of 1448	10.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	21.3	1141 of 1466	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	25.7	1170 of 1548	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	43.5	939 of 1580	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	47.8	866 of 1533	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	49.2	860 of 1563	45.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	38.7	1074 of 1566	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.8	1079 of 1552	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	57.0	918 of 1552	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	53.7	959 of 1589	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2008	35.6	1262 of 1577	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	54.2	909 of 1565	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	48.2	1013 of 1545	34.4%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	53.3	555 of 1352	58.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.5	683 of 1346	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.0	805 of 1381	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.3	559 of 1350	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	14.7	1263 of 1397	9.6%	☆☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	41.6	776 of 1372	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.1	721 of 1347	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	34.2	859 of 1334	35.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	15.5	1241 of 1446	14.2%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	25.4	915 of 1199	23.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	14.8	1081 of 1206	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.6	850 of 1204	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	20.7	994 of 1198	17.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	31.5	761 of 1102	30.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.1	730 of 1005	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	15.3	1019 of 1128	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	7.0	1222 of 1253	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	53.9	371 of 896	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.0	386 of 890	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.9	323 of 897	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	41.5	496 of 883	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.1	525 of 776	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	25.0	520 of 675	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	34.8	516 of 792	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.6	587 of 838	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	46.5	390 of 821	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	52.2	406 of 894	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2015	60.0	345 of 919	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	53.8	446 of 921	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	51.0	470 of 919	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2012	42.3	562 of 900	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2011	58.0	456 of 858	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	53.0	538 of 851	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	53.6	539 of 847	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	62.0	408 of 839	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	62.0	391 of 823	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	49.3	530 of 806	34.2%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	78.3	104 of 834	87.5%	★★★★☆
2025	75.1	127 of 832	84.7%	★★★★☆
2024	59.7	262 of 836	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	61.9	242 of 825	70.7%	★★★★☆
2019	51.2	307 of 672	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	61.5	264 of 815	67.6%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	19.1	650 of 798	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	70.9	170 of 786	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	56.4	279 of 776	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	34.1	534 of 797	33.0%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	40.7	405 of 687	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	39.6	403 of 696	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	36.7	449 of 701	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.0	497 of 688	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	22.1	519 of 638	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	18.7	535 of 624	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.2	568 of 678	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	52.1	345 of 800	56.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	20.0	600 of 743	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	45.9	382 of 735	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	36.8	428 of 666	35.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	54.0	368 of 824	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2017	35.3	496 of 835	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	32.9	541 of 852	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2015	57.7	364 of 832	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	73.7	179 of 799	77.6%	★★★★☆
2013	60.2	330 of 805	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	63.9	288 of 773	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	65.2	343 of 784	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	82.2	108 of 765	85.9%	★★★★☆
2009	54.0	437 of 754	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	76.2	185 of 750	75.3%	★★★★☆
2007	68.8	266 of 767	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2006	68.0	256 of 705	63.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	48.4	340 of 686	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	52.9	316 of 710	55.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	76.9	92 of 719	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	88.8	44 of 755	94.2%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	32.3	474 of 693	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.4	277 of 611	54.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.4	448 of 543	17.5%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	41.2	374 of 671	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	18.6	546 of 638	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.1	417 of 647	35.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.8	362 of 582	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	41.2	424 of 708	40.1%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Elementary school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)59th percentile+22 vs school

Male (2026)43rd percentile+7 vs school

White (2026)24th percentile-13 vs school

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)88th percentile+29 vs school

White (2026)41st percentile-18 vs school

Male (2025)19th percentile-38 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)87th percentile+30 vs school

Female (2026)50th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)44th percentile-13 vs school

Male (2026)32nd percentile-25 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing50%~ state avg

Social Studies38%-3 vs state

Math32%-4 vs state

Science31%-7 vs state

English Language Arts29%-10 vs state

Mathematics26%-7 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central Lake Public Schools

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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 Vaccination Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				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)			Vaccination (2025-26)		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/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	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 3rd Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 4th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 3rd Grade	M-Step Math 4th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Vaccination: Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines	Vaccination: Exemption rate	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Central Lake Public Schools	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	8169 W State St	Central Lake	49622	Antrim County	Central Lake Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 544-3141	223	23	9.9	74.9%	206 (92.4%)	1 (0.4%)	4 (1.8%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.9%)	8 (3.6%)								(n/a)	73.3	53.3	81.3	20.0	402.7	31.3	50.0	23.1		1379.5	30.0	1576.8	28.6		17.7	45.0	1575.7	1673.6	25.0	33.3	34.6	20.0	66.7	34.6			$26,248	$2,170	$24,078
Ellsworth Community School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	9467 Park St	Ellsworth	49729	Antrim County	Ellsworth Community School	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 588-2544	228	17	13.3	56.1%	201 (88.2%)	7 (3.1%)	9 (3.9%)	2 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.9%)								(n/a)	52.2	75.0	47.1	26.1	50.0	17.7	59.3	37.0	40.0	46.2	53.9	21.4	42.9	30.0	1383.3	38.5	42.9	57.1	69.2	26.1	55.6	23.1	34.8	55.6	88.2%	11.8%	$19,400	$1,518	$17,883
North Central Academy Campus	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	5055 Corey Rd	Mancelona	48708	Antrim County	Bay City Academy	Yes	No	No	Yes	(231) 584-2080	174	13	13.3	70.1%	164 (94.3%)	1 (0.6%)	3 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.9%)								(n/a)	57.1	43.8	412.0	370.0	360.0	350.0			1269.8	21.1	22.2	22.2		33.3	21.1	16.7	22.2		38.9	28.6		1475.9	1784.1				$10,313	$1,526	$8,787
Alba School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	5935 Elm St	Alba	49730	Antrim County	Alba Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 584-2000	96	8	11.4	78.1%	88 (91.7%)	1 (1.0%)	2 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.2%)								(n/a)									1269.6					1263.5													$17,389	$1,971	$15,418
Concord Academy Boyne	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	401 E Dietz Rd	Boyne City	49712	Charlevoix County	Concord Academy - Boyne	Yes	No	No	Yes	(231) 582-0194	188	16	11.9	46.3%	166 (88.3%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (4.8%)								(n/a)									1273.4					1260.5											62.5%	37.5%	$11,733	$1,607	$10,126
Northport Public School	Public, Alternative	K-12	104 S Wing St	Northport	49670	Leelanau County	Northport Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 386-5153	127	16	8.0	76.4%	68 (53.5%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (19.7%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (14.2%)	1 (0.8%)	15 (11.8%)								(n/a)							494.0	457.0	54.6	54.6			64.3	72.7	63.6			42.9			60.0			60.0	100%	0%	$40,602	$3,334	$37,268
Boyne Falls Public School	Public, Magnet, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1662 M75 S	Boyne Falls	49713	Charlevoix County	Boyne Falls Public School District	No	Yes	No	Yes	(231) 549-2211	196	18	10.8	71.4%	185 (94.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.6%)								(n/a)	50.0	63.6	27.3	25.0	27.3	408.2			27.3	28.6	50.0	53.3	15.8	40.9	1378.5	27.3	33.3	26.3	63.6	33.3		36.4	25.0		88.9%	11.1%	$22,288	$1,946	$20,342
CharEm Special Education Schools	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	8568 Mercer Rd	Charlevoix	49720	Charlevoix County	Charlevoix-Emmet Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	No	No	(231) 547-9947	99	25	3.9	41.4%	87 (87.9%)	5 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.0%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Lake Public Schools

How many students attend Central Lake Public Schools?

In the 2024-25 school year, 223 students attended Central Lake Public Schools.

What district is Central Lake Public Schools in?

Central Lake Public Schools

Is Central Lake Public Schools a good school?

Central Lake Public Schools ranks 941^st of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Central Lake Public Schools?

Students at Central Lake Public Schools are 92% White, 4% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic.

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2021–22 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)NewOct 19, 2026

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

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.