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Schools in West Traverse Township · Harbor Springs School District

West Traverse Township’s public schools outscore 84% of Michigan districts

64% of students in West Traverse Township’s public schools are proficient in reading, above the Michigan average (45%). The grade covers the public school district serving West 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
64%
▲ 19 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
44%
▲ 10 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
85–89%
▲ 3–7 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$23.0K
▲ 39% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
0
751 students on the public path
In brief

West 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 ↓

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 West Traverse Township’s grade

A Test scoresB Graduation

A−: better than 84% of Michigan school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 84%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (800)Better than 80%
Towns in Emmet County (16)Better than 56%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 402 test results and a graduating class of 75 could put West Traverse Township anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of West Traverse Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (402 in math, 402 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–4Shay Elementary Schoolin Harbor SpgsNo scores
5–8Harbor Springs Middle Schoolin Harbor SpringsA−
9–12Harbor Springs High Schoolin Harbor SpgsA−

West Traverse Township’s public schools are run by Harbor Springs School District, which also serves Cross Village, Friendship, Harbor Springs and Little Traverse and others. 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.

Harbor Springs School DistrictGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 751 students, up 27% since 2020–21 · 13.2 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$23,035MI $16,528 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading64%
State average 45.4% · 402 students tested
Math44%
State average 33.6% · 402 students tested

West Traverse Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share West Traverse Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
West Traverse TownshipA−Harbor Springs
Harbor SpringsA−Harbor Springs
Pleasantview—Pellston PK–12 · Harbor Springs K–12
Little TraverseA−Harbor Springs
Friendship—Harbor Springs

All 4 neighbors share Harbor Springs with West Traverse Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in West Traverse Township

3 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).

Also serving West Traverse Townshipin other towns
Shay Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4 · Harbor Spgs
258 students12:1Rate it →
Harbor Springs Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8 · Harbor Springs
A−
233 students13:1Rate it →
Harbor Springs High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Harbor Spgs
A−
260 students14:1Rate it →

Questions about West Traverse Township’s schools

Are West Traverse Township’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools West Traverse Township children attend outscore 84% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 80%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is West Traverse Township in?

Harbor Springs School District, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 751 students in 3 schools (2024–25).

Where do West 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 West 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 West 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.

Parents talk

What West Traverse Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near West 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.