Summary:
Garber High School is the sole high school in the Essexville-Hampton Public Schools district, serving grades 9-12 with 489 students in Essexville, Michigan. This school stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 91.6%—well above the state average of 84.0%—and a remarkably low dropout rate of just 0.8%, nearly nine times lower than the state’s 7.1%. Garber has consistently earned a 4-star rating and ranked in the top 28% of Michigan high schools over the past three years, though its percentile has slipped slightly from the 78th to the 72nd percentile.
Academically, Garber shows a striking split between subjects. English Language Arts is a clear strength: 9th and 10th grade PSAT ELA proficiency rates (74.2% and 77%) far exceed state averages (60.2% and 58%), and SAT reading and writing proficiency (59.8%) beats the state by 7.7 points. Science is also a hidden gem, with 45.3% proficiency—10.1 points above the state. However, math is a persistent weakness. SAT math proficiency sits at just 19.6%, a steep 6.9-point deficit from the state average, and it has dropped sharply from 28.1% the prior year. Math performance also declines as students advance: 9th graders score 35% (above state), 10th graders fall to 29% (below state), and 11th graders drop to 19.6%. This downward trend suggests a systemic issue in math instruction or curriculum that needs targeted attention.
Despite 37% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, Garber achieves strong ELA outcomes, indicating effective literacy programs that could serve as models. Chronic absenteeism (20.4%) is 7.5 points below the state average, supporting strong engagement and retention. With a favorable 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $13,126, the school appears well-resourced. The combination of low dropout rates, high graduation, and strong non-math academics makes Garber a solid choice for families, though parents of students needing math support should investigate how the school plans to address this growing gap.
Thank you for your feedback!