Schools in Custer, MI

Mason County Eastern Schools serves the city of Custer, Michigan, with two schools on a shared campus: Mason County Eastern Elementary School (grades PK-6, 181 students) and Mason County Eastern Junior High/High School (grades 7-12, 176 students). This small, rural district of roughly 357 students presents a striking contrast between its two schools.

The clear standout is the junior/senior high school, which has earned a 4-star rating and climbed to the 73rd percentile statewide. It boasts a 96.8% graduation rate, well above the state's 84%, and a dropout rate of just 3.1%. Its students dramatically outperform state averages in key areas: 9th graders hit 81.3% proficiency in ELA (vs. 60.2% statewide), and 11th graders reach 48.3% in science (vs. 35.2%). In contrast, the elementary school is a major concern, holding a 1-star rating and ranking in the 17th percentile—a decline from the 26th percentile just two years ago. Its proficiency rates lag the state by 15 to 25 points in nearly every subject and grade, such as 4th grade ELA at 17.2% versus the state's 41.3%.

Economic challenges are severe, with 86.7% of elementary students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, yet the high school's success suggests poverty is not destiny. A fascinating "middle school dip" shows students struggling in grades 3-8 but making a dramatic turnaround by 9th grade, hinting at effective secondary interventions. The elementary school does show one bright spot: 3rd grade math proficiency (38.1%) nearly matches the state average (42.9%), though that advantage fades by 4th grade. Chronic absenteeism affects about a quarter of students at both schools, and with per-student spending between $16,315 and $17,742, questions arise about resource allocation. The elementary school's declining trajectory versus the high school's improvement creates a widening gap that parents should watch closely, as it may eventually impact the high school's feeder pipeline.