Summary:
Cass City Elementary is the sole elementary school within Cass City Public Schools, serving grades PK through 6 with 459 students in a rural Michigan community. This single-school district offers a clear, focused picture of elementary education in the area, and the data shows a school that punches well above its weight academically.
Cass City Elementary is a standout performer, ranking in the 82nd percentile statewide (272nd out of 1,492 schools) for the 2025-2026 school year. The school consistently beats the Michigan state average in every subject and grade level tested. For example, 3rd-grade reading proficiency is 66.7% compared to the state’s 38.2%, and 3rd-grade math is 70.1% versus the state’s 42.9%. Even in areas of relative weakness, like 5th-grade math (36.8% vs. 32.2% state average), the school still holds an edge. This academic success is particularly notable given that 56.43% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, showing that economic challenges are not holding back achievement here.
One of the most striking findings is the school’s exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.4%, far better than the state’s 27.9% average—a sign of strong family engagement and a positive school culture. However, parents should be aware of a clear pattern: early-grade performance is stellar, but there is a significant drop in math proficiency as students move up. Math proficiency falls from 70.1% in 3rd grade to just 36.8% in 5th grade, a 33-point decline. There is also notable year-to-year volatility in upper grades; for instance, 6th-grade math dropped from 65.6% to 39.6% in just one year. While the school remains above state averages throughout, this suggests that the transition to more complex concepts in upper elementary may be an area needing extra support and attention.
Thank you for your feedback!