Best Public Schools in Lambertville, MI

Lambertville, Michigan is served by three elementary schools—two high-performing public schools within the Bedford Public Schools district and one small charter school—with a combined enrollment of about 1,211 students and no standalone middle or high schools within city limits.

For families, the standout choice is Monroe Road Elementary School, the largest school with 595 students, which has held a consistent 4-star rating and ranks in the 79th-81st percentile statewide. It leads in 5th grade English Language Arts (62.4% proficient) and 5th grade Science (61.4%), both far exceeding state averages. Douglas Road Elementary School is the comeback story, jumping from the 63rd to 78th percentile in one year (rank 546 to 323) after broad-based gains across subjects. Douglas Road actually outperforms Monroe Road in 3rd and 4th grade Math (59.1% and 59.4% proficient) and 4th grade ELA (59.4%), though it dips in 5th grade Math (40.4% vs. Monroe Road's 48.5%). Both Bedford schools have remarkably low chronic absenteeism (about 5% vs. 27.9% statewide) and serve relatively low free/reduced lunch populations (21-24%). In contrast, Horizon Science Academy New Bedford, a charter serving just 63 students in grades PK-8, struggles significantly—it has a 57.14% free/reduced lunch rate, 27.4% chronic absenteeism, and last ranked in the 31st percentile (2 stars) in 2017-2018, with test scores generally below state averages despite spending $20,659 per student (vs. about $13,200 at the Bedford schools).

The Bedford Public Schools district itself holds a 4-star rating and ranks 89th out of 625 districts statewide (86th percentile), with district-wide chronic absenteeism of just 8.3%. The efficiency of the Bedford schools is notable—they achieve far better outcomes while spending roughly $7,500 less per student than the charter. However, families should note there are no secondary schools within Lambertville proper, meaning Bedford district students must travel outside city limits for middle and high school. Overall, the two Bedford elementaries offer strong, stable academics with minor grade-level trade-offs, while the charter presents a clear contrast in both demographics and results.