Summary:
Zip code 49713, encompassing the rural community of Boyne Falls, Michigan, is served by a single school: Boyne Falls Public School, part of the Boyne Falls Public School District, which educates approximately 196 students across all grades from Pre-K through 12th grade under one roof.
For parents, this small, comprehensive PK-12 model offers a unique environment where students of all ages interact daily, and the favorable 10.8:1 student-teacher ratio supports personalized attention. The school serves a predominantly low-income population, with over 71% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, yet it achieves notable successes. Its standout performance is in 5th-grade science, where proficiency rates of 63.6% (2025-26) and 75% (2024-25) far exceed the state average of about 40%. The school also outperforms state averages in 6th-grade ELA (53.3% vs. 37.5%) and 9th-grade PSAT ELA (63.6% vs. 60.2%). Chronic absenteeism is a relative bright spot at 18.3%, significantly better than the state's 27.9%, suggesting strong community engagement despite economic challenges.
However, the data reveals clear areas of concern. A "middle school slump" is evident, with 7th-grade ELA proficiency plummeting to just 15.8% compared to 53.3% in 6th grade. High school transition is also challenging, as 10th-grade PSAT ELA drops dramatically to 27.3% from 63.6% in 9th grade. Other below-average results include 3rd-grade ELA (27.3%) and 8th-grade social studies (25%). Given the small cohort sizes—some classes may have only 10-15 students—single-student performance swings can cause large year-over-year fluctuations, such as 6th-grade ELA jumping from 17.7% to 53.3%. With per-student spending of $22,288, the school invests heavily in its small rural setting, and while it faces significant achievement gaps, particularly at the high school level, its ability to match or exceed state averages in several subjects despite high poverty demonstrates meaningful success worth investigating further.
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