Benzie County Central Schools

The Benzie County Central Schools district in Michigan consists of 6 schools, including 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. The district serves a predominantly white student population, with high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. While some schools in the district, such as Lake Ann Elementary School and Benzie Central Senior High School, are performing well above the district and state averages, others, like Benzie Academy, are struggling with low graduation rates, high dropout rates, and significantly lower test scores.

The data reveals stark disparities in academic performance across the district, with a clear correlation between socioeconomic status and student outcomes. Schools with higher rates of free or reduced-price lunch recipients, such as Betsie Valley School and Benzie Academy, tend to have the lowest test scores and graduation rates. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is a concern across all schools, ranging from 28.2% to 53.6%, which could be a contributing factor to the academic challenges faced by some of the schools.

The Benzie County Central Schools district may benefit from a closer examination of the factors driving these performance disparities and the development of targeted interventions to support the lower-performing schools and ensure more equitable outcomes for all students. By addressing the root causes of the challenges faced by these schools, the district can work towards providing a high-quality education for all students in the community.