Summary:
The city of Pellston, Michigan, is served by the Pellston Public Schools district, which operates two schools—Pellston Elementary School (grades PK-5) and Pellston MiddleHigh School (grades 6-12)—together educating roughly 478 students in a rural, moderate-to-high poverty area where about half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
The standout is Pellston Elementary School, which consistently ranks in the 80th-81st percentile statewide (4 stars) and outperforms Michigan averages in nearly every subject. Its math results are especially strong—5th grade proficiency hits 62.2% versus 32.2% statewide, a 30-point advantage—and 5th grade science (62.2%) and social studies (43.2%) also far exceed state norms. In contrast, Pellston MiddleHigh School ranks in the 31st-49th percentile (2 stars) and struggles in several areas. While 6th grade ELA (46.7%) and math (43.3%) beat state averages, scores drop sharply by 7th grade, and social studies proficiency is a systemic weakness (23.5% in 11th grade vs. 43.2% statewide). The secondary school also faces a graduation rate crisis at 64.8% versus 84.0% statewide, with chronic absenteeism affecting 30.2% of students.
Despite these challenges, there is positive momentum at Pellston MiddleHigh School, which improved from the 31st to 49th percentile in one year, with 8th grade science (41.9%) and 9th grade PSAT math (39.4%) now above state averages. The district spends generously—$17,809-$18,426 per student—and maintains excellent student-teacher ratios of 11-11.7:1, yet results are uneven, suggesting resources are used more effectively at the elementary level. For parents, the key takeaway is that Pellston Elementary School offers top-tier academics, but families should closely monitor the transition to Pellston MiddleHigh School, where engagement, graduation rates, and social studies instruction need urgent attention.
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