Summary:
Stockbridge Community Schools serves about 1,068 students across three schools in the small, rural community of Stockbridge, Michigan, covering grades PK-12. The district overall ranks in the 68th percentile statewide with a 3-star rating, but that single number hides a dramatic split: its elementary schools are thriving while its secondary school struggles to maintain those gains.
The clear standout is Heritage School (grades 3-6), which has rocketed from the 41st to the 70th percentile in just two years—a 429-position jump. Its 4th graders post a 62.9% math proficiency rate, far above the state’s 39.4%, and 5th graders beat state averages in science and social studies by double digits. By contrast, Stockbridge JrSr High School (grades 7-12) sits at the 49th percentile and slipped 101 spots last year. Its 7th graders trail the state by roughly 8 points in both ELA and math, and 11th grade science proficiency is just 23.6% versus 35.2% statewide. The high school also has a much higher student-teacher ratio (16.3:1) and nearly double the chronic absenteeism rate (26.2%) of the elementary schools, though it still edges the state average on graduation (87.6% vs. 84.0%).
Two bright spots stand out. First, 8th graders at the high school are an anomaly, beating state averages by 17 points in social studies and 13 points in PSAT ELA—a model worth replicating. Second, Emma Smith Elementary School (PK-2) keeps chronic absenteeism at just 14.7%, well below the state’s 27.9%. However, the district faces a clear “achievement cliff” between 6th and 7th grade, and volatile year-over-year swings (like 8th grade social studies jumping 31.8 points) suggest small cohorts or inconsistent instruction. For parents, the takeaway is simple: early education here is excellent, but the secondary experience needs attention.
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