Schools in Zip Code 49765

Zip code 49765 in Onaway, Michigan, is served by four small schools—one elementary, one middle, and two high schools—totaling roughly 528 students in this rural Presque Isle County community.

Families comparing schools here will find stark contrasts. Onaway Senior High School is the clear standout, with an 85% graduation rate that edges out the state average, a consistent 2-star rating, and 10th graders who actually beat state averages on PSAT ELA (63.2% vs. 58%). It also posts the lowest poverty rate in the area at 48% free/reduced lunch. By contrast, Presque Isle Academy, an alternative high school with just 17 students, shows a 0% graduation rate, a 50% dropout rate, and 82% of students in poverty—though these figures represent only a handful of students. At the middle level, Onaway Middle School shows extreme year-to-year swings (8th grade science plummeted from 56% to 23% proficiency), reflecting how small cohorts distort trends. Onaway Elementary School trails state averages by 20-30 points in most subjects, though 3rd graders match the state in math (43.6% vs. 42.9%).

The Onaway Area Community School District carries a 1-star rating, but that masks real variation—the high school has held 2 stars for three years while the middle and elementary schools have slipped. Math is a systemic weakness across all grades, with proficiency often 20+ points below state norms. Notably, chronic absenteeism at district schools (12.7-25.2%) is actually better than the state average (27.9%), so attendance isn't the core issue. Per-student spending runs $14,800-$16,400 at district schools, yet outcomes lag, suggesting poverty (60-63% at elementary/middle) and rural resource limits play larger roles. The 4th grade shows a dramatic drop-off in both ELA and math that deserves investigation. Despite challenges, these schools demonstrate capacity for excellence—8th graders beat state averages in science and social studies in 2024-25, and the high school's graduation rate proves success is possible here.