Dundee Community Schools

Dundee Community Schools is a small Michigan district serving roughly 1,757 students across four schools—one elementary, one middle, and two high schools—in a predominantly rural/suburban area south of Detroit. The district overall earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 83rd percentile statewide, but performance varies sharply between its traditional schools and its small alternative program.

For parents, the standout option is Dundee Community High School, which posts a 97.2% graduation rate (13 points above the state) and strong ELA scores—10th graders hit 77.1% proficiency on the PSAT versus 58% statewide. Its SAT math (22.2%) lags the state average, however. The feeder pattern is solid: Dundee Elementary School outperforms state averages in every subject, with 4th-grade math at 63.8% proficiency, while Dundee Middle School also beats state averages in most grades, especially 8th-grade social studies (64.8% vs. 50.3%). The clear outlier is Riverside Academy, a tiny 46-student school serving grades 5-12. Despite the highest per-student spending ($14,623), it has a 44% chronic absenteeism rate, a 77.2% graduation rate, and an 18.1% dropout rate—far worse than the district’s other high school. It also has the highest student-teacher ratio (27.8:1) and serves a much higher share of economically disadvantaged students (58.7% free/reduced lunch).

Key takeaways: Math proficiency declines dramatically from elementary (56-63.8%) to high school (22.2% on SAT), suggesting a curriculum gap. ELA is a district strength, with consistent above-average scores. Chronic absenteeism is lowest at the elementary (16.3%) and highest at Riverside (44%), while the middle school (22.5%) needs attention. The elementary school delivers the best results at the lowest cost per student ($11,784), indicating strong efficiency. Overall, families choosing the traditional pathway—elementary through the main high school—will find a high-performing, well-rated experience, but Riverside Academy serves a distinctly different, more at-risk population that struggles despite higher funding.