Summary:
The two schools in the 48754 zip code, Owendale-Gagetown Jr Sr High School and Owendale-Gagetown Elementary School, are both struggling academically and face significant challenges, according to the data. The high school, serving grades 6-12, has a small student population of 82 and has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Michigan high schools, with concerning performance metrics like a 53.8% four-year graduation rate and a 38.4% dropout rate. The elementary school, serving grades PK-5 with just 69 students, has also consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools.
Both schools serve communities with high levels of economic disadvantage, with over 70% of students at the high school and nearly 90% of students at the elementary school eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. This likely contributes to the schools' academic struggles, as evidenced by low proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math that are well below state averages. Chronic absenteeism is also a significant issue, with 38.2% of high school students and 30.9% of elementary students missing an excessive number of school days.
The small size of the schools and their shared Owendale-Gagetown Area School District suggest that a coordinated, district-level approach to addressing the systemic challenges may be necessary. Despite relatively high per-student spending, the schools' performance indicates that funding alone is not the sole factor, and other interventions and support may be needed to improve educational outcomes for the students in this community.
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