Best Public Schools in Mendon, MI

The city of Mendon, Michigan, is served by the Mendon Community School District, which includes two schools—Mendon Elementary School (grades PK-5) and Mendon MiddleHigh School (grades 6-12)—together educating roughly 464 students in a small, rural setting.

For parents, the most striking story is the contrast between the two schools. Mendon Elementary School is clearly the district’s rising star. Its state ranking has jumped 264 spots over two years, moving from the bottom quarter of Michigan elementary schools to the 41st percentile. This improvement is especially notable because the elementary school serves a higher percentage of students from economically disadvantaged families (45.7% free/reduced lunch) than the secondary school (33.1%). In 5th grade, ELA proficiency (45.2%) actually exceeds the state average, and math proficiency (32.3%) matches it. The school also benefits from a lower student-teacher ratio (10.9:1) and higher per-student spending ($16,866). In contrast, Mendon MiddleHigh School has slipped from the 48th to the 31st percentile in one year. While 8th grade science and PSAT math scores are near or above state averages, the 11th grade SAT results are alarming—only 12.1% are proficient in math and 30.3% in reading/writing, compared to state averages of 26.5% and 52.1%.

The most critical issue appears to be the transition to middle school. While 5th grade ELA proficiency at the elementary school is strong, 6th grade ELA proficiency at the secondary school drops to just 20%, a 17.5-point gap below the state average. This suggests a significant learning loss or adjustment problem. The district’s graduation rate (86.9%) exceeds the state average, but the dropout rate (10.8%) is also higher than the state’s 7.1%. Chronic absenteeism is manageable at both schools, so attendance isn’t the main driver. With the elementary school’s upward trajectory and the secondary school’s struggles, the district’s overall 2-star rating masks a tale of two very different experiences for students.