Summary:
The city of Utica, Michigan, is served by a single feeder pattern of three public schools within the larger Utica Community Schools district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 72nd percentile statewide. These schools—Utica High School, Eppler Junior High School, and Flickinger Elementary School—serve students from elementary through high school, with free/reduced lunch eligibility ranging from roughly 37% to 46% across the campuses.
Utica High School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating with a 96.8% graduation rate and exceptional 9th-grade ELA proficiency at 90.5%, which is 30 points above the state average. Its SAT scores in reading and writing (64% proficient) and math (38.4%) also far outpace state averages. In contrast, Eppler Junior High School struggles with a 3-star rating, a 24.8% chronic absenteeism rate, and notably weak math scores—only 26.3% of 8th graders are proficient on the PSAT. Flickinger Elementary School shows mixed results, with strong 3rd-grade math (47.4%) but a critically low 23.3% proficiency in 5th-grade math, a 14.5-point deficit compared to the district.
A key takeaway is the persistent math weakness that worsens as students advance, from 5th grade through high school. Additionally, Eppler’s high absenteeism and highest per-student spending ($17,335) do not translate into better outcomes, while Utica High spends the least ($13,642) yet achieves the best results. The data also reveals a puzzling 20-point gap in 9th-grade ELA between Utica High (90.5%) and Eppler (70.1%) on the same PSAT exam, suggesting possible cohort differences. For parents, this means Utica High offers strong college readiness, but families should watch math development closely in the earlier grades and be aware of the middle school attendance challenges at Eppler.
Thank you for your feedback!