Bellaire Public Schools

Bellaire Public Schools is a small, rural Michigan district with two schools—John R Rodger Elementary School (PK-5, 119 students) and Bellaire MiddleHigh School (6-12, 140 students)—serving about 259 students total, with roughly half qualifying for free/reduced lunch.

The standout is Bellaire MiddleHigh School, which dramatically outperforms state averages in reading and graduation. Its 95.8% graduation rate tops the state by nearly 12 points, and 9th graders hit 82.6% proficiency on PSAT ELA—22 points above Michigan. Middle school ELA scores (58-68% proficient) are also far above state norms. However, math is a clear weakness: 7th grade math proficiency sits at just 21.1% versus 57.9% in ELA, a 37-point gap that persists into 10th grade PSAT math (26.1%). In contrast, John R Rodger Elementary School lags state averages in ELA and math across grades 3-5, though it shines in 5th grade science (50% proficient vs. 40% statewide) and social studies (38.1% vs. 29.8%). The elementary school’s 5th grade ELA dropped sharply from 57.1% to 38.9% in one year, reflecting the volatility of small cohorts.

Both schools share favorable 12.2:1 student-teacher ratios and high per-pupil spending ($22,336-$24,581), yet outcomes diverge sharply—suggesting secondary programs are more effective. Chronic absenteeism is a hidden issue, affecting 26-30% of students, near or above the state rate. Year-to-year swings (e.g., 7th grade ELA jumping 33 points) are likely due to tiny class sizes where a few students shift results. For parents, this district offers strong literacy and college readiness at the secondary level, but elementary math and attendance need attention. The elementary-to-middle school turnaround is promising, though math intervention remains the clearest opportunity for improvement.