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Pentwater Public School

Q: Is Pentwater Public School a good school?

Pentwater Public School ranks 471 st of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Alternative Grades PK, KG-12

471^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,492 Michigan Alternative Schools

Better than 68% of Michigan alternative schools

Summary

Pentwater Public School is a small, rural PK-12 school in Pentwater, MI, serving 226 students with a notably low student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1, making it the sole school in the Pentwater Public School District.

Academically, Pentwater is a standout in its region. Test scores consistently outpace state averages, especially in STEM subjects. For example, 6th-grade math proficiency hit 63.2% in 2025-2026, nearly double the state average of 31.9%, and 11th-grade science proficiency reached 52.6% versus the state's 34.9%. These results are dramatically higher than those at nearby Walkerville Public School, where 6th-grade ELA proficiency was just 18.75% compared to Pentwater's 68.4%. The school also boasts a more recent graduation rate of 73.6%, far exceeding Walkerville's 50.0%. While Pentwater's small class sizes can cause year-to-year swings in metrics—like the graduation rate dropping from 100% to 73.6% in one year—the overall academic picture is one of consistent, high-level achievement.

Financially, Pentwater is efficient. It spends $18,294 per student, which is over $2,000 less than Walkerville's $20,557, yet it achieves far superior outcomes. The student body is also more economically diverse, with a free/reduced lunch rate of 33.63% compared to over 70% at neighboring schools. One emerging concern is chronic absenteeism, which spiked to 28.0% in 2024-2025, matching the state average but still better than Walkerville's 45.0%. Despite this, Pentwater's combination of strong academics, a supportive learning environment, and effective resource use makes it a compelling choice for families seeking a high-quality rural education.

226

Students ?

11.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$18,294

Per pupil spending ?

33.6%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

83.3%

Kindergartners complete for all required vaccines (2025-26)

Exemptions: 8.3% (any vaccine)

600 Park St
Pentwater, MI 49449-9597

(231) 869-4100

District: Pentwater Public School District

Racial breakdown:

White:

82.7%

Hispanic:

11.9%

Two or more races:

4.4%

See top rated Michigan elementary schools

Compare Pentwater Public School to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 93rd percentile in 2023 → 84th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (50% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Above the Michigan median (68th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Graduation rate below the Michigan average (74% vs 84%)

!Dropout rate above the Michigan average (10% vs 7%)

!Ranking has slipped — down 9 percentile points since 2023

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg50%

Michigan avg41%

Elementary school

471^st of 1,492

Michigan public elementary schools ?

Top 32%▼ down 25 pts since 2016

From top 6% (2016) to top 32% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

187^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 21%▲ up 23 pts since 2016

From top 44% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

131^st of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 16%▲ up 15 pts since 2016

From top 31% (2016) to top 16% (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	66.1	471 of 1492	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.0	464 of 1488	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	69.3	416 of 1486	72.0%	★★★★☆
2023	75.8	318 of 1470	78.4%	★★★★☆
2022	76.1	265 of 1344	80.3%	★★★★☆
2019	78.9	246 of 1408	82.5%	★★★★☆
2018	80.8	260 of 1448	82.0%	★★★★☆
2017	82.0	186 of 1466	87.3%	★★★★☆
2016	90.1	97 of 1548	93.7%	★★★★★
2015	78.1	304 of 1580	80.8%	★★★★☆
2014	45.5	909 of 1533	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	53.6	771 of 1563	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	46.5	919 of 1566	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	51.1	971 of 1552	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	43.3	1182 of 1552	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	52.0	998 of 1589	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2008	44.2	1138 of 1577	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	49.4	1019 of 1565	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	52.2	924 of 1545	40.2%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	56.5	527 of 1343	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.8	522 of 1338	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	72.0	287 of 1342	78.6%	★★★★☆
2018	85.3	148 of 1443	89.7%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	84.9	116 of 1397	91.7%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2018	62.7	521 of 1446	64.0%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	63.7	392 of 1199	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	65.7	389 of 1206	67.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.3	355 of 1204	70.5%	★★★★☆
2023	75.2	255 of 1198	78.7%	★★★★☆
2019	75.3	227 of 1128	79.9%	★★★★☆
2018	76.7	249 of 1253	80.1%	★★★★☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	73.6	187 of 896	79.1%	★★★★☆
2025	69.5	215 of 890	75.8%	★★★★☆
2024	65.5	243 of 897	72.9%	★★★★☆
2023	88.9	82 of 883	90.7%	★★★★★
2022	79.8	115 of 776	85.2%	★★★★☆
2021	81.1	87 of 675	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	82.2	113 of 792	85.7%	★★★★☆
2018	88.6	79 of 838	90.6%	★★★★★
2017	64.7	229 of 821	72.1%	★★★★☆
2016	54.3	390 of 894	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2015	64.2	298 of 919	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	68.2	259 of 921	71.9%	★★★★☆
2013	69.8	232 of 919	74.8%	★★★★☆
2012	57.3	385 of 900	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2011	70.5	254 of 858	70.4%	★★★★☆
2010	45.0	613 of 851	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	52.8	544 of 847	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	57.3	475 of 839	43.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	58.6	441 of 823	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2006	59.8	399 of 806	50.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	69.0	177 of 789	77.6%	★★★★☆
2018	85.5	89 of 794	88.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	71.4	163 of 687	76.3%	★★★★☆
2025	64.2	205 of 696	70.5%	★★★★☆
2024	55.6	255 of 701	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	87.5	63 of 688	90.8%	★★★★★
2021	86.0	59 of 577	89.8%	★★★★☆
2019	79.6	96 of 624	84.6%	★★★★☆
2018	86.9	68 of 678	90.0%	★★★★★

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	77.8	131 of 800	83.6%	★★★★☆
2025	76.2	147 of 739	80.1%	★★★★☆
2024	87.8	71 of 743	90.4%	★★★★★
2023	89.5	54 of 735	92.7%	★★★★★
2022	72.8	143 of 531	73.1%	★★★★☆
2021	70.2	121 of 561	78.4%	★★★★☆
2019	70.6	177 of 666	73.4%	★★★★☆
2018	79.5	146 of 824	82.3%	★★★★☆
2017	51.2	366 of 835	56.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	66.3	264 of 852	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2015	68.0	262 of 832	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	63.7	296 of 799	63.0%	★★★☆☆
2013	66.6	269 of 805	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	66.9	260 of 773	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2011	66.7	325 of 784	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2010	76.2	179 of 765	76.6%	★★★★☆
2009	60.0	382 of 754	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2008	56.6	417 of 750	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	84.4	86 of 767	88.8%	★★★★☆
2006	62.2	318 of 705	54.9%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	41.1	403 of 686	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	79.1	96 of 629	84.7%	★★★★☆
2023	85.9	60 of 611	90.2%	★★★★★
2018	80.3	113 of 710	84.1%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2024	95.4	21 of 654	96.8%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	75.1	123 of 671	81.7%	★★★★☆
2025	78.1	109 of 639	82.9%	★★★★☆
2023	83.3	85 of 647	86.9%	★★★★☆
2021	72.9	105 of 516	79.7%	★★★★☆
2019	63.9	190 of 582	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.0	175 of 708	75.3%	★★★★☆

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 (2018)92nd percentile+10 vs school

White (2026)67th percentile~ school

Male (2018)64th percentile-18 vs school

Female (2026)61st percentile-8 vs school

Middle school

Female (2026)78th percentile~ school

White (2026)76th percentile-3 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2024)97th percentile+6 vs school

White (2026)82nd percentile~ school

Female (2026)41st percentile-42 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts53%+14 vs state

Math50%+14 vs state

Science47%+9 vs state

Social Studies44%+3 vs state

Mathematics42%+9 vs state

★

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Schools Near Pentwater Public 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 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
Pentwater Public School	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	600 Park St	Pentwater	49449	Oceana County	Pentwater Public School District	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 869-4100	226	19	11.7	33.6%	187 (82.7%)	2 (0.9%)	27 (11.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (4.4%)								(n/a)	64.7	57.1	57.9	29.4	57.1	42.1	537.1	515.0	62.5	33.3	45.8	68.4	57.1	68.8	53.3	25.0	63.2	50.0	45.8	35.3	64.3	25.0	52.9	64.3	83.3%	8.3%	$18,294	$432	$17,862
Developmental ClassroomsWSESD	Public, Alternative	K-12	2130 W Us Highway 10	Ludington	49431	Mason County	West Shore Educational Service District	No	No	No	No	(231) 898-1608	117	20	5.8	70.1%	91 (77.8%)	7 (6.0%)	13 (11.1%)	1 (0.9%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.4%)								(n/a)
Walkerville Public School	Public, Alternative	3-12	145 Lathrop St	Walkerville	49459	Oceana County	Walkerville Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(231) 873-4850	198	11	17.4	75.3%	146 (73.7%)	5 (2.5%)	40 (20.2%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.0%)								(n/a)	38.9	33.3	43.8	44.4	14.3	402.5	405.0	370.8	1271.9	1366.9	1474.9	18.8	14.3	1274.9	1369.7	17.7	25.0	1671.2	17.7	29.4	2071.4	1471.6	29.4	2075.3	80%	13.3%	$20,557	$3,728	$16,830

Frequently Asked Questions about Pentwater Public School

What district is Pentwater Public School in?

Pentwater Public School District

How many students attend Pentwater Public School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 226 students attended Pentwater Public School.

What is the racial makeup of Pentwater Public School?

Students at Pentwater Public School are 83% White, 12% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

Is Pentwater Public School a good school?

Pentwater Public School ranks 471^st of 1492 Michigan alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Pentwater Public School!

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

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

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