Best Public Schools in Leslie, MI

The city of Leslie, Michigan, is served by the Leslie Public Schools district, which operates four schools—one elementary, one middle, and two high schools—for approximately 1,087 students across a mix of traditional and virtual learning environments.

For parents, the standout choice is Leslie High School, which leads the district with a 96.4% graduation rate—far above the state’s 84%—and earns a 4-star rating, the highest in the area. Its SAT math scores (34.4% proficient) also beat the state average by nearly 8 points, despite over a third of its students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. In contrast, Ingham Virtual High School struggles significantly, with only a 35.2% graduation rate and a 23.5% dropout rate, while serving the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (58.62%) and spending the least per student ($5,820). At the elementary level, Woodworth Elementary School shows strong 4th grade math proficiency (50% vs. 39.4% statewide), but Leslie Middle School reveals a troubling decline: 5th graders outperform the state in ELA (48.6% vs. 43.8%), yet by 7th grade, proficiency drops to just 22.4%—a 16-point deficit. The middle school also has the district’s highest chronic absenteeism rate at 32.3%, which likely contributes to its academic slide.

Overall, this district offers a mixed picture. While Leslie High School and Woodworth Elementary demonstrate that strong outcomes are possible, the middle school’s upper grades and the virtual high school need attention. Notably, the two highest-spending traditional schools (Woodworth at $14,703 and Leslie High at $14,263 per student) post the best results, while the lowest-spending virtual school performs worst, suggesting funding matters. Parents should also note year-to-year volatility in rankings and test scores, which may reflect small class sizes. If considering this district, prioritize the strong secondary math programs and the high school’s supportive environment, but investigate the middle school’s attendance and 7th grade dip closely.