Best Public Schools in Marcellus, MI

Marcellus Community Schools serves approximately 560 students across three schools in the small, rural city of Marcellus, Michigan, covering grades PK-12. The district holds a 3-star rating, with all three schools—Marcellus Elementary School (PK-5), Marcellus Middle School (6-8), and Marcellus High School (9-12)—performing in the 52nd to 66th percentile statewide in the most recent year.

Among the three, Marcellus Middle School stands out for its efficiency and past excellence, though it showed significant volatility. In 2024-2025, it ranked in the 79th percentile with standout 8th-grade scores (76.9% proficient in social studies and 84.6% in PSAT ELA), but dropped to the 54th percentile the following year—likely due to small cohorts where a few students can swing results. Still, it maintains the district’s lowest chronic absenteeism (16.2% vs. 27.9% state average) and achieves strong results despite the lowest per-student spending ($11,793). Marcellus Elementary School is the consistent performer, with math proficiency exceeding state averages by 10-16 points across all grades, though ELA proficiency declines relative to the state as students progress (from +6.8 points in 3rd grade to -8.9 points in 5th grade). Marcellus High School boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, far exceeding state averages, and shows a strong 9th-grade PSAT ELA performance (+11.7 points vs. state), but scores drop sharply by 10th grade (-16.8 points).

Economically, all three schools serve significant populations of disadvantaged students (52.5%-62.1% free/reduced lunch), yet they generally perform at or above state averages in several subjects—particularly elementary math and middle school social studies. The high school spends 50% more per student ($17,724) than the middle school, yet the middle school achieves comparable or better academic outcomes, suggesting efficient resource use. Chronic absenteeism varies widely: the elementary school matches the state average (27.5%), while the middle school excels at 16.2%. Overall, this district offers solid, mid-tier performance with notable strengths in elementary math and high school graduation, but families should be aware of the middle school’s year-to-year swings and the high school’s declining test scores in upper grades.