Collins Elementary School

Collins Elementary School, an average-sized elementary campus in HOUGHTON LAKE, Michigan, part of Houghton Lake Community Schools, serves 489 students, covering grades pre-K through 6. By comparison, Michigan's public schools average about 369 students each, so Collins Elementary School sits 33% above that benchmark.

Houghton Lake Community Schools runs 3 schools in total, collectively educating 1,076 students. Collins Elementary School is one of those campuses.

For racial and ethnic makeup, Collins Elementary School shows that nearly all students (88%) are White; the rest comes out to 5% Hispanic, 5% multiracial.

On the resource side, The school reports having 32 full-time-equivalent teachers, for a student-teacher ratio near 15.3:1. The state averages about 15.8:1, putting this campus right in line with peers. Around 84% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, often used as a Title I proxy. That share is north of Roscommon County's rate of about 70%.

With demographic context factored in, Collins Elementary School tracks the demographic baseline. The model predicts 29.1% given the school's FRL share; actual proficiency is 31.7%.

In the surrounding community, the surrounding county (Roscommon County) shows that median household earnings sit near $55,246, 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 9%. In all, Roscommon County runs 9 public schools (combined enrollment of about 2,617 students), of which Collins Elementary School is one.

Nearest neighbor: Houghton Lake JrSr High School, around 0.2 miles off. Within five miles, there are 2 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts Collins Elementary School at 4th of 5; the average score across the group is 39.8%.

Collins Elementary School operates from a town-based location.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Collins Elementary School has edged up 32%, going from 370 students in 2018 to 489 in 2025. Over the same period, the White share ticked down from 97% to 88%. The student-to-teacher ratio grew from 13.2:1 in 2018 to 15.3:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around pickup logistics, teacher feedback, and after-school programs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.