Summary
Engadine Schools is a small, rural public school in Engadine, MI, serving 241 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade under the Engadine Consolidated Schools district, where about 65% of students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
For parents, the standout story here is that Engadine Schools consistently outperforms its nearby peer, Newberry Area School, located about 16 miles away in the Tahquamenon Area Schools district. Engadine boasts an 88.8% graduation rate compared to Newberry's 71.7%, and its dropout rate of 5.5% is less than half of Newberry's 12.8%. Chronic absenteeism is also notably lower at Engadine (28.1% vs. 36.6%). Academically, Engadine posts higher proficiency rates in nearly every grade and subject tested, with particularly strong results in English Language Arts—for example, 50% of 4th graders and 42.1% of 5th graders are proficient, versus Newberry's 17.4% and 18.9%, respectively. Science scores also show a clear edge, and 8th-grade ELA proficiency on the PSAT (66.7%) actually surpasses the state average. All of this is achieved with nearly identical per-student spending ($15,298 vs. $15,392), making Engadine a more efficient and effective option for families in the area.
That said, Engadine is not without challenges. While it shines relative to its local comparison, proficiency rates in upper grades—especially 7th-grade ELA (12.5%) and math (16.67%)—fall well below Michigan state averages. The school also serves a high-need population, which may explain why overall test scores lag state benchmarks despite strong graduation outcomes. A notable quirk in the data: the district-wide graduation rate is just 38.1%, a stark contrast to the school's own 88.8%, suggesting Engadine Schools functions as a highly effective alternative program within a district that includes other, less successful offerings. For parents, this means Engadine offers a stable, supportive environment with a proven track record of helping students graduate, even if there is room for growth in middle-school academics.
Thank you for your feedback!