High Schools in Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District

The Carsonville-Port Sanilac School District is home to two high schools serving grades 6-12 in a small, rural Michigan community: Carsonville-Port Sanilac High School (187 students) and Carsonville-Port Sanilac Learning Center (53 students). These two schools share the same campus but offer vastly different educational experiences, making it essential for parents to understand the contrast before choosing a path for their child.

Carsonville-Port Sanilac High School is the district’s clear academic standout, earning a 4-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking in the 89th percentile statewide in 2024-2025. It boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate with a 0% dropout rate, far exceeding the district average of 82.1% and the state’s 84%. The school excels in science and social studies, with 11th graders scoring 52.2% and 65.2% proficient respectively—both well above state averages. Even with 58.8% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school outperforms state benchmarks in several subjects. However, its SAT results reveal a notable weakness: only 26.1% of 11th graders are proficient in math versus 60.9% in reading and writing, a gap that suggests literacy is a strength while math instruction needs attention. Chronic absenteeism (32.8%) also exceeds the state rate of 27.9%, though it remains far below the alternative school’s level.

In stark contrast, Carsonville-Port Sanilac Learning Center serves a more economically disadvantaged population (79.25% free/reduced lunch) but faces severe challenges. Only 50% of its students graduate, the dropout rate is 20%, and chronic absenteeism reached a staggering 81.9% in 2022-2023. The school spends just $8,012 per student—less than half of the main high school’s $16,261—despite serving the district’s most at-risk learners. Its only recent test data shows just 33.3% proficiency in 11th grade social studies, well below district and state averages. While alternative programs often serve students who struggled elsewhere, the 50-percentage-point graduation gap between these two schools sharing one address is dramatic. The district’s overall 3-star rating masks this internal disparity, so parents should weigh these differences carefully when considering which environment best fits their child’s needs.