Top Rankings
Houghton Lake Community Schools ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 1,076 students in Houghton Lake Community Schools. This district's average testing ranking is 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Michigan.
Public Schools in Houghton Lake Community Schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Michigan public school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 46% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Michigan public school average of 37% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (MI)
# Schools
3 Schools
3,470 Schools
# Students
1,076 Students
1,369,239 Students
# Teachers
88 Teachers
82,996 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Houghton Lake 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 59% has decreased from 60-64% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#508 out of 862 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
35%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
38%
Graduation Rate
59%
81%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)58.6%
33.3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.18
0.57
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
4%
% Hispanic
4%
9%
% Black
1%
18%
% White
91%
63%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,878 in this school district is less than the state median of $18,606. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,758 is less than the state median of $17,784. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$17 MM
$25,476 MM
Spending
$15 MM
$24,351 MM
Revenue / Student
$15,878
$18,606
Spending / Student
$13,758
$17,784
Best Houghton Lake Community Schools Public Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Houghton Lake Community Education
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
179 Cloverleaf Ln
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 422-6161
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 422-6161
Gr: 9-12 | 103 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Houghton Lake Jrsr High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4433 W Houghton Lake Dr
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 366-2035
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 366-2035
Gr: 7-12 | 484 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Collins Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4451 W Houghton Lake Dr
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 366-2030
Houghton Lake, MI 48629
(989) 366-2030
Gr: PK-6 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Houghton Lake Community Schools?
Houghton Lake Community Schools manages 3 public schools serving 1,076 students.
What is the rank of Houghton Lake Community Schools?
Houghton Lake Community Schools is ranked #531 out of 845 school districts in Michigan (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Michigan school districts for: Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Houghton Lake Community Schools?
91% of Houghton Lake Community Schools students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Houghton Lake Community Schools?
Houghton Lake Community Schools has a student/teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than the Michigan state average of 17:1.
What is Houghton Lake Community Schools's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,758 is less than the state median of $17,784. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Recent Articles
What Rising E-Bike and Traffic Concerns Mean for School Commutes
Discover how rising e-bike use and increasing traffic are changing school commutes, and what parents should evaluate before choosing a public school.
School Safety Beyond Lockdowns: What Parents Should Review
Learn how to evaluate a public school's safety beyond lockdown drills, including school climate, emergency planning, mental health support, and communication.
How to Judge Special Education Capacity Before You Enroll
Learn how to evaluate a public school's special education capacity before enrolling your child, from staffing and IEP implementation to inclusion and support services.
