Best Public Schools in Croswell, MI

Croswell, Michigan is served by the Croswell-Lexington Community Schools district, which operates four schools—one elementary, one middle, and two high schools—for approximately 1,433 students in a small-town setting. The district overall earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 72nd percentile statewide, but this aggregate performance hides a wide gap between its strongest and weakest schools.

For parents, the standout option is Croswell-Lexington Middle School, which is the district's academic leader. It ranks in the 77th percentile of Michigan middle schools and beats state averages by wide margins in 7th grade math (+19 points), 8th grade science (+16 points), and 8th grade social studies (+12 points). At the high school level, Croswell-Lexington High School boasts an exceptional 99.1% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, though its SAT math proficiency (19.3%) trails the state average (26.5%)—a notable drop-off given the middle school's strong math performance. In contrast, Pioneer High School, the district's alternative school, struggles significantly with a 55.8% graduation rate and serves a highly disadvantaged population (82% free/reduced lunch). Frostick School, the elementary school, has seen its state ranking fall from the 77th to 60th percentile, with 3rd grade scores below district averages, though it still slightly outperforms state averages in most subjects.

The most pressing concern is the stark resource disparity: Pioneer High School receives just $4,352 per student—less than one-third of the $15,590 spent at the main high school—despite serving the highest-need population. This inverse relationship between funding and student need is a serious equity issue. Chronic absenteeism runs below the state average (27.9%) at all schools but exceeds the district average (18.7%), ranging from 19.2% at the middle school to 22.6% at the high school. While the district's overall 4-star rating reflects strong performance at the middle and main high school, families should be aware that outcomes and resources vary dramatically depending on which school their child attends.