Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Hillsdale

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Hillsdale County CourthouseHillsdale County Courthouse · Photo: Calvin Beale · Public domain
B−
Schools in Hillsdale · Hillsdale Community Schools

Hillsdale’s public schools score below 52% of Michigan districts on tests and graduation

In Hillsdale, 37% of tested students read at a proficient level, below the Michigan average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Hillsdale, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#510of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
37%
▼ 8 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
29%
▼ 5 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
80–84%
▼ 2–2 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.9K
▼ 10% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.3
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
7
1,170 students on the public path
In brief

Hillsdale’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

80–84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan (the state reports Hillsdale’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,933 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Davis Middle School, then Hillsdale High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Hillsdale Preparatory School is in town. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Hillsdale’s grade

B− Test scoresC+ Graduation

B−: better than 48% of Michigan school districts, #510 of 699 Michigan towns. Graduation is above the Michigan average; test scores are below it.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 48%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (769)Better than 49%
C+BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 634 test results and a graduating class of 115 could put Hillsdale anywhere from C+ to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Hillsdale’s students in the tested grades sat them (634 in math, 633 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Hillsdale, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–4Gier Elementary SchoolHillsdale Community SchoolsC
5–8Davis Middle SchoolHillsdale Community SchoolsC+
9–12Hillsdale High SchoolHillsdale Community SchoolsB

Hillsdale’s public schools are run by Hillsdale Community Schools, which also serves Cambria, Fayette, Hillsdale and Jefferson. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Hillsdale Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 1,259 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 15.3 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$14,933MI $16,528 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading37%
State average 45.4% · 633 students tested
Math29%
State average 33.6% · 634 students tested

Hillsdale vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Hillsdale’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HillsdaleB−Hillsdale
FayetteB−Hillsdale PK–12 · Jonesville K–12
CambriaB−Hillsdale PK–12 · Reading K–12
JeffersonC+Hillsdale PK–12 · Pittsford Area Schools K–12

All 3 neighbors share Hillsdale with Hillsdale, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Hillsdale

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Hillsdaleby address
Gier Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C
434 students16:1Rate it →
Davis Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
C+
366 students16:1Rate it →
Hillsdale High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
370 students18:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Horizon Alternative School
High · Grades 9–12
Alternative Education
55 studentsRate it →
Bailey Early Childhood Center
Elementary · Grades PK–K
Special Education
34 students5:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Hillsdale Preparatory School
Elementary · Grades K–8
C+
Charter
60 students7:1Rate it →
Other public schools in Hillsdalerun by other districts or the state
Greenfield School
Grades PK–12
C−
Special Education
45 students3:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Hillsdale Area Career Center).

Questions about Hillsdale’s schools

Are Hillsdale’s schools good?

On Michigan’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Hillsdale children attend score below 52% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #510 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 49%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Hillsdale in?

Hillsdale Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,259 students in 5 schools (2024–25).

Where do Hillsdale kids go to high school?

Hillsdale High School, with 370 students; its own test results earn a B.

What is Hillsdale’s graduation rate?

80–84% of the class of 2023 in Hillsdale Community Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Hillsdale spend per student?

$14,933 in Hillsdale Community Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Hillsdale families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Hillsdale → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.