Best Public Schools in Hopkins, MI

The city of Hopkins, Michigan, is served by the Hopkins Public Schools district, which includes three schools—Hopkins Elementary School (PK-5), Hopkins Middle School (6-8), and Hopkins High School (9-12)—together enrolling about 1,191 students in a small-town setting.

This is a district on the rise, with all three schools improving their statewide rankings over the past two years. Hopkins High School shows the most dramatic jump, climbing from the 43rd to the 68th percentile, and it boasts a stellar 95.7% graduation rate with chronic absenteeism just 10.9%—far below the state’s 27.9%. However, its SAT math proficiency is a glaring weakness: only 11.4% of 11th graders are proficient, a steep drop from 28.7% the prior year and 15 points below the state average. This contrasts sharply with its strong reading scores (63.2% proficient). Hopkins Middle School is the academic standout in most subjects, particularly 8th-grade PSAT English (79% proficient, 14 points above the state) and math (50.5%, 17 points above). Yet it also has the district’s highest chronic absenteeism rate at 23.5%, and its 6th- and 7th-grade reading scores fall below state averages—a puzzling gap that may reflect test differences rather than a real decline. Hopkins Elementary School is the most consistent performer, holding a 4-star rating for three straight years despite serving the highest share of economically disadvantaged students (38.9% free/reduced lunch). Its 3rd-grade math proficiency (70.6%) is exceptional, but 4th-grade math drops to 38.8%, showing notable volatility between grade levels.

District-wide, students excel in social studies at every level, and per-student spending is similar across schools ($13,277–$13,882), yet outcomes vary widely—especially in high school math, which demands immediate attention. The socioeconomic gradient (fewer disadvantaged students at higher grades) and the middle school’s high absenteeism despite strong test scores are trends worth watching, but overall, Hopkins offers a solid, improving education with clear areas for targeted improvement.