Summary:
Curtis, Michigan, is home to a single public elementary school, Three Lakes Academy, which serves grades PK-6 within the Three Lakes Academy district, a small, rural district with 114 students.
For parents, the most important takeaway is that Three Lakes Academy is a school of notable contrasts. It ranks in the 70th percentile statewide (#451 out of 1,492 elementary schools) with a 3-star rating, meaning it performs above average overall. The school’s biggest strength is in 6th grade, where math proficiency is an exceptional 72.73% (compared to the state’s 31.9%) and English language arts is also 72.73% (state: 37.5%). Fifth grade, however, is a clear weak spot: math proficiency dropped from 69.23% last year to just 30.77% this year, and social studies fell to 23.08% (state: 27.5%). This dramatic year-over-year swing between 5th and 6th grades suggests a strong cohort in 6th grade and a possible instructional issue in 5th grade that parents may want to ask about.
On the positive side, the school invests heavily in its students, spending $13,792 per pupil and maintaining a favorable 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Chronic absenteeism is very low at 14.4% versus the state’s 27.9%, indicating strong attendance. Early-grade math is also a highlight, with 3rd graders at 66.7% proficiency (state: 42.9%). However, the school serves a high-needs population, with 62.28% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. While 5th-grade science is strong (61.54% vs. 40% state), the inconsistent performance across grades—especially the 5th-grade slump—is the key concern. Overall, this is a supportive, well-funded school that excels in upper elementary math and science but needs to address the 5th-grade curriculum to ensure consistent success for all students.
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