Best Public Schools in Zip Code 49874

The 49874 zip code area is home to 3 schools, including 1 middle school, 2 high schools (1 traditional and 1 alternative), and no elementary schools. The standout school in this data set is North Central Area Senior High School, which has consistently ranked among the top high schools in Michigan and outperforms state averages on academic assessments. In contrast, Phoenix Alternative High School appears to be struggling, with alarmingly low graduation rates and a high dropout rate.

North Central Area Senior High School boasts a 96.4% four-year graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, well above state averages. Students at the school perform significantly better than state averages on M-Step and SAT assessments, with over 60% proficient or better in several subjects. The school also has a relatively low 34.04% free/reduced lunch rate, indicating a less economically disadvantaged student population. In contrast, Phoenix Alternative High School has a much higher 76.32% free/reduced lunch rate and a concerning 11.7% four-year graduation rate and 41.1% dropout rate.

The racial makeup of the schools in the 49874 zip code area is relatively homogeneous, with North Central Area Senior High School and North Central Middle School having a majority white student population, and Phoenix Alternative High School having a higher percentage of Native American students. The significant difference in spending per student between the high school and middle school ($18,422 vs. $9,294) suggests that the high school may be receiving more funding or allocating resources differently, which could be a factor in the academic performance of the schools.