Little Traverse Township’s public schools outscore 84% of Michigan districts
Reading proficiency in Little Traverse Township’s districts is 64%, above the Michigan average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving Little Traverse Township, 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.
From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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.
Little Traverse Township’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 64% and math 44% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 85–89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $23,035 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 Harbor Springs Middle School, then Harbor Springs High School. Enrollment is up 27% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Harbor Light Christian School (private) 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.
What’s behind Little Traverse Township’s grade
A−: better than 84% of Michigan school districts, #146 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Little Traverse Township, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Little Traverse Township
Shay Elementary School
Grades K–4 · 258 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
1st grade in Little Traverse Township
Shay Elementary School
Grades K–4 · 258 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
2nd grade in Little Traverse Township
Shay Elementary School
Grades K–4 · 258 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
3rd grade in Little Traverse Township
Shay Elementary School
Grades K–4 · 258 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
4th grade in Little Traverse Township
Shay Elementary School
Grades K–4 · 258 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
5th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 233 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Springs
6th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 233 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Springs
7th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 233 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Springs
8th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs Middle School
Grades 5–8 · 233 students · 13:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Springs
9th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs High School
Grades 9–12 · 260 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
10th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs High School
Grades 9–12 · 260 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
11th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs High School
Grades 9–12 · 260 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
12th grade in Little Traverse Township
Harbor Springs High School
Grades 9–12 · 260 students · 14:1 students per teacher · in Harbor Spgs
Little Traverse Township’s public schools are run by Harbor Springs School District, which also serves Cross Village, Friendship, Harbor Springs and Pleasantview and others. Parts of Little Traverse Township (20% and 12% of its land) are served by Alanson and Public Schools of Petoskey instead. 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.
Well above the state in reading
Little Traverse Township vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Little Traverse Township’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Little Traverse Township | A− | Harbor Springs |
| Harbor Springs | A− | Harbor Springs |
| Pleasantview | — | Pellston PK–12 · Harbor Springs K–12 |
| Bear Creek | A | Public Schools of Petoskey |
| West Traverse | A− | Harbor Springs |
| Littlefield | B− | Alanson |
| Maple River | B | Pellston PK–12 · Alanson PK–12 |
3 of the 6 neighbors share Harbor Springs with Little Traverse Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Little Traverse Township
4 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).
Questions about Little Traverse Township’s schools
Are Little Traverse Township’s schools good?
By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Little Traverse Township children attend outscore 84% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #146 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 84%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Little Traverse Township in?
Harbor Springs School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 751 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Little Traverse Township are served by Alanson and Public Schools of Petoskey.
Where do Little Traverse Township kids go to high school?
Harbor Springs High School in Harbor Spgs, with 260 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Little Traverse Township’s graduation rate?
85–89% of the class of 2023 in Harbor Springs School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.
How much does Little Traverse Township spend per student?
$23,035 in Harbor Springs School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Little Traverse Township?
Yes: Harbor Light Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 218 students).
Parents talk
What Little Traverse Township families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Little Traverse Township → 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.