Best Public Schools in Zip Code 49120

The 49120 zip code area is home to 16 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 2 alternative schools, which are part of the Niles Community Schools and Brandywine Community Schools districts. The data reveals a mix of high-performing and struggling schools, with standout institutions like Eastside Connections School and Niles Senior High School contrasting with alternative and virtual schools facing significant challenges.

Eastside Connections School, a public magnet elementary/middle school, stands out with consistently high performance, ranking in the top 25% of Michigan elementary schools and earning 4 out of 5 stars from SchoolDigger. It boasts strong test scores, with 65-77% of students proficient in English Language Arts and 47-63% proficient in Math. In contrast, several schools struggle with high chronic absenteeism rates, including Ballard Elementary (31.6%), Brandywine Middle School (35.9%), and Brandywine Innovation Academy (69.4%).

The data also reveals significant performance gaps between the highest and lowest-performing schools, particularly in academic proficiency on state assessments. For example, 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency ranges from 20.2% at Brandywine Elementary to 62.5% at Eastside Connections School. Additionally, the alternative and virtual schools in the data set, such as WAY Niles, Niles Cedar Lane, and Brandywine Innovation Academy, struggle with low graduation rates, high dropout rates, and poor academic performance compared to the traditional public schools.