Onaway Senior High School

Onaway Senior High School is a small, rural public high school in Onaway, MI, serving 159 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Onaway Area Community School District. Nearly half of its students (48.4%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a moderate level of economic need in the community.

Onaway shows a real strength in supporting its low-income students—this subgroup ranked in the 60th percentile statewide, earning 3 stars, which is notably higher than the school's overall rank of 46th percentile. The school also outperforms nearby Inland Lakes Secondary School and Wolverine MiddleHigh School in 11th-grade science (37.5% proficient) and holds its own in social studies. However, math is a significant concern: only 12.5% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT math, and just 10.34% of 9th graders meet PSAT math benchmarks—both far below state averages. This math struggle appears systemic, not limited to one grade or test year.

The bigger challenges lie in student engagement and retention. Onaway's graduation rate of 85.0% is slightly above the state average, but its dropout rate of 10.0% is nearly triple that of Inland Lakes (3.7%). Chronic absenteeism affects 24.7% of students—much higher than Inland Lakes (15.5%) and Wolverine (19.5%). Interestingly, Onaway spends more per student ($16,349) than either neighboring district, yet outcomes don't consistently reflect that investment. The school's state ranking has also been volatile, swinging from the 66th percentile to the 17th percentile over recent years, which suggests that with only 159 students, each graduating class can dramatically shift results. For parents, this means Onaway offers strong support for economically disadvantaged students, but math proficiency and keeping students consistently engaged remain key areas to watch.