Summary:
ZIP code 49740, encompassing Harbor Springs, Michigan, is served by a single, highly-rated public school district—Harbor Springs School District—which educates approximately 751 students across three schools: Harbor Springs High School (grades 9-12), Harbor Springs Middle School (grades 6-8), and Shay Elementary School (grades K-5). This is a small, affluent, and academically strong district, ranking in the top 15% of all Michigan districts.
For parents, the standout is Harbor Springs Middle School, the district's only 5-star school, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide. It is the academic powerhouse, with exceptional proficiency in Science (67.4% in 5th grade vs. 40% state) and Social Studies (70.6% in 8th grade vs. 50.3% state). Harbor Springs High School is a consistent 4-star performer, excelling in college readiness with SAT reading/writing proficiency at 75.4% (state: 52.1%) and a strong 91.6% graduation rate. Shay Elementary School is the relative weak link, holding a 3-star rating (66th percentile) and showing a notable weakness in 4th-grade math, where proficiency (37.9%) falls below the state average (39.4%).
Key takeaways reveal a "middle school peak" in academic performance, with the middle school outperforming the high school in comparable subjects. While the district excels in Science and Social Studies, Math is a relative weakness across all grade levels, particularly in upper elementary and 9th grade. Attendance is excellent district-wide (9.3% chronic absenteeism vs. 27.9% state), though the middle school's rate (12.1%) is more than double the high school's (5.5%). With high per-pupil spending (over $24,000) and low poverty rates, this district offers strong resources, but parents should be aware of the need for targeted math support, especially in the transition years.
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