Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools

The Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools district in Pigeon, Michigan, serves about 982 students across three schools—Laker Elementary (K-5), Laker Middle School (6-8), and Laker High School (9-12)—with all schools earning a 3-star rating, though the elementary recently hit 4 stars.

Laker Elementary is the clear standout, especially in early math where 3rd and 4th graders beat state averages by 10-14 points, and 3rd grade reading hit 59% proficiency—20 points above the state. The elementary also shines in 5th grade social studies (44.3% vs. 27.5% state). Laker High School posts a strong 91.9% graduation rate and low dropout rate, but its 11th grade SAT reading scores crashed from 67.6% to 40.2% proficiency in one year—a red flag. Laker Middle School is the weak link in math, with proficiency rates 4-12 points below state in every grade, though 8th grade social studies and reading remain solid.

The biggest takeaway is a math slide: kids excel in 3rd grade math (52.4% vs. 42.9% state) but fall behind by 7th grade (21.3% vs. 33.3% state), which likely feeds into the high school's low SAT math score (19.5%). Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide strength at 9.6-13.8%, far below the state's 27.9%, and free/reduced lunch rates range from 37-50%. Small class sizes (75-140 per grade) cause volatile year-to-year swings, so the high school's SAT drop may be a cohort issue—but the consistent decline across multiple high school subjects suggests something worth investigating. For parents, the elementary offers the strongest foundation, while middle school math intervention could be the key to unlocking better high school outcomes.