Best Public Schools in Albion, MI

The city of Albion, Michigan, is served by just two schools within the Marshall Public Schools district: one elementary school and one alternative high school, both facing significant challenges related to poverty and attendance.

Harrington Elementary School (PK-5) is the only traditional school in Albion, and it is in a state of crisis. With a state ranking in the 5th percentile and zero stars for three consecutive years, its proficiency rates are in the single digits and low teens across nearly all subjects. For example, only 11.1% of 3rd graders are proficient in ELA, compared to 44.3% district-wide, and just 5.88% of 5th graders are proficient in science. Chronic absenteeism is a massive problem, affecting 53.6% of students—more than double the district rate of 24.7%. While the school spends a very high $23,817 per student and maintains a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio, these resources have not translated into academic success. There is a slight positive sign, however, as 4th grade ELA proficiency jumped from 6.12% to 20.9% in one year, suggesting some interventions may be starting to work.

Marshall Opportunity High School (9-12) is an alternative school serving students who have struggled in traditional settings. Its academic metrics are also very low, ranking in the 4th percentile statewide, with 11th grade science proficiency at just 9.09% compared to the district's 50.7%. The school faces an even more severe attendance crisis, with a staggering 73.7% chronic absenteeism rate. Despite this, its 76.7% graduation rate, while well below the district's 92.1%, is a relative success for an alternative school, and its 6.9% dropout rate is actually below the state average. The 9th grade ELA PSAT score of 33.3% is the school's strongest metric, suggesting students arrive with foundational skills but struggle to stay engaged. Both schools serve predominantly low-income populations (roughly 80% free/reduced lunch), and the academic gap between them and the rest of the district is extreme—often 30 to 40 percentage points—indicating these schools face deep, community-wide challenges that go far beyond the classroom.