Benzie County Central School

Public school districtGrades PK–12Regional · 18 towns

Serves Almira Township, Benzonia Township, Inland Township, Homestead Township, Cleon Township, Lake Township, Springdale Township, Colfax Township, Benzonia, Weldon Township, Joyfield Township, Blaine Township, Thompsonville, Platte Township, Lake Ann, Copemish, Beulah and Honor, and parts of Grant Township, Wexford Township, Pleasanton Township and Gilmore Township.

Students

1,136

Schools

Spent per student

$16,079

MI $16,528

Students per teacher

16:1

Free or reduced lunch

57%

Debt

$31.1M

fiscal 2024

The gist

What stands out about Benzie County Central School

School Grade B: better than 59% of Michigan districts
16 students per teacher
Enrollment down 13.3% since 2020
Debt of $31.1M, about $27,382 per student

Where would my kid go?

The school path for Shepherd.

K–52 elementary schoolsShepherd Public School District

6–8Shepherd Middle SchoolShepherd Public School District

9–12Shepherd High SchoolShepherd Public School District

Test scores vs. MI

2020–21

Math proficiency33%

State average 34.6%

Reading / language arts44%

State average 47.9%

Graduation rate (4-year)82%

State average 82.9%

Where the money goes

fiscal 2024

$16,079 per student · 3% below MI

Spending

Classroom instruction 59%Support & administration 36%Other 5%

Paid for by

Local (mostly property tax) 62%State 30%Federal 9%

U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances.

Enrollment over time

1,310’20

1,218’21

1,230’22

1,179’23

1,136’24

Down 13.3% since 2020.

Students

White 90%Two or more races 4%Hispanic 4%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%Black <1%Asian <1%Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander <1%

Schools in the district

6 public schools.

Homestead Hills Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Benzonia

209 students15:1

Lake Ann Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Interlochen

A−

180 students14:1

Betsie Valley School

Elementary · Grades PK–5 · Thompsonville

C+

131 students13:1

Benzie Central Middle School

Middle · Grades 6–8 · Benzonia

B−

239 students18:1

Benzie Central Sr High School

High · Grades 9–12 · Benzonia

B+

292 students16:1

Benzie Academy

High · Grades 6–12 · Benzonia

D−

85 students77:1

Towns served

Almira Township 3,933Benzonia Township 2,791Inland Township 2,602Homestead Township 2,383Cleon Township 1,124Lake Township 794Springdale Township 794Colfax Township 723Benzonia 718Weldon Township 716Joyfield Township 632Blaine Township 523Thompsonville 490Platte Township 360Lake Ann 273Copemish 255Beulah 218Honor 172

Nearby districts

Compare spending and schools next door.

Frankfort-Elberta Area SchoolsCrystal Lake Township, Elberta, Frankfort

$22,206per student

Traverse City Area Public SchoolsGreen Lake Township, Long Lake Township

$15,423per student

Mesick Consolidated SchoolsHanover Township, Marilla Township, Springville Township

$15,948per student

Onekama Consolidated SchoolsArcadia Township, Bear Lake Township

$18,754per student

District facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES directory and district boundaries) and the U.S. Census Bureau school finance survey. Test scores and graduation: EDFacts via the Urban Institute Education Data Portal. Neighbor ratings are opinions.