Summary:
Zip code 49740, encompassing the Harbor Springs area in Michigan, is home to a single elementary school, Shay Elementary School, which serves grades K-4 within the highly-ranked Harbor Springs School District (85th percentile statewide).
For parents, Shay Elementary stands out as a well-resourced and academically strong option. The school’s greatest asset is its consistent excellence in English Language Arts (ELA). In the 2025-2026 school year, 3rd graders achieved 53.4% proficiency and 4th graders hit 48.5%, both significantly outpacing state averages by 15.2 and 7.2 points, respectively. This "ELA advantage" was also evident the prior year, showing it is not a fluke. However, math performance tells a more mixed story. While 3rd-grade math saw a remarkable 10.8-point jump to 48.3% proficiency (above the state’s 42.9%), 4th-grade math dipped slightly to 37.9%, falling 1.5 points below the state average. This subject-area gap suggests a targeted area for potential curriculum focus.
The school’s supportive environment is reflected in its key metrics. With a favorable 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio and a substantial per-student investment of $25,067, the school provides ample resources for individualized attention. Its chronic absenteeism rate of just 10.9% is less than half the state’s 27.9%, indicating strong student engagement. Economically, only 23.26% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, suggesting a relatively affluent community. The dramatic improvement in 3rd-grade math may also signal successful recovery from pandemic-era learning disruptions. Overall, Shay Elementary offers a high-quality, well-rounded education with exceptional literacy outcomes, though parents should note the need for continued attention to upper-grade math proficiency.
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