New Buffalo Senior High School

New Buffalo Senior High School is a small, rural high school in New Buffalo, MI, serving 172 students in grades 9-12 as part of the highly-rated New Buffalo Area Schools district.

This school has earned a remarkable reputation for academic excellence, ranking 25th out of 800 high schools statewide—placing it in the top 3% of Michigan schools. Its test scores are nothing short of exceptional: 93.88% of 9th graders are proficient in English Language Arts and 73.5% are proficient in math, both far exceeding state averages. Even at the 11th-grade level, SAT math proficiency (56.5%) is more than double the state average and outpaces nearby Lakeshore High School (43.3%). What makes this even more impressive is the school's journey—just five years ago it ranked in the 28th percentile, but it has climbed steadily to its current top-tier position. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $39,644 per pupil—more than double what Buchanan High School spends—and maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 10.6, ensuring personalized attention.

While academics are stellar, there are areas families should consider. The graduation rate of 87.2% is above the state average but lower than high-performing neighbors like Bridgman High School (96.8%) and Lakeshore (94.1%). Additionally, chronic absenteeism sits at 21.0%, notably higher than nearby schools, suggesting some students may need extra support to stay engaged. On a positive note, the school excels across all student groups, including ranking in the 87th percentile for low socio-economic status students—a strong sign of equity. For parents seeking a high-achieving, well-funded school with small classes, New Buffalo offers an impressive option, though it's worth asking about supports for attendance and graduation completion.