For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 337 students in Forest Area Community Schools. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public elementary schools in Michigan.
Public Elementary Schools in Forest Area Community Schools have an average math proficiency score of 19% (versus the Michigan public elementary school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 22% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority American Indian), which is less than the Michigan public elementary school average of 38% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
3 Schools
2,541 Schools
# Students
509 Students
953,595 Students
# Teachers
35 Teachers
58,878 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Forest Area Community Schools, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 845 school districts in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 75% has decreased from 80-89% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#645 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
20%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
27%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
38%
Graduation Rate
75%
81%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.30
0.57
% American Indian
8%
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
3%
18%
% White
83%
62%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,273 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,510. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,633 is less than the state median of $17,693. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$7 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$7 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,273
$18,510
Spending / Student
$13,633
$17,693
Best Forest Area Community Schools Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Fife Lake Elementary School
(Math: 40-49% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
108 Pierce St
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 879-3362
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 879-3362
Gr: PK-3 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Forest Area Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
7661 Shippy Rd Sw
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2884
Fife Lake, MI 49633
(231) 369-2884
Gr: 4-8 | 190 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Recent Articles
Preventing Suicide in Schools: 2026 Guide for Educators
Learn updated 2026 strategies for preventing suicide in schools, including warning signs, intervention plans, and school-wide mental health support.
The Impact of Social Media on Students (2026 Update)
Explore the impact of social media on students in 2026, including academic, mental health, and safety insights for parents and educators.
Building a Summer Reading Plan That Keeps Kids Engaged
Learn how to build a summer reading plan that keeps kids engaged, motivated, and improving literacy skills throughout the break.
