Summary:
Gladstone Area Schools is a small, unified district in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula serving about 1,494 students across four schools: Cameron Elementary School (K-2), James T Jones Elementary School (3-5), Gladstone Area Middle School (6-8), and Gladstone Area High School (9-12).
The high school is the district’s standout, with an 89.1% graduation rate, a dropout rate of just 2.9% (less than half the state’s 7.1%), and chronic absenteeism at 12.8% versus the state’s 27.9%. It also beat state averages in SAT Reading and Math, though its science scores dipped sharply in the latest year. Cameron Elementary is the hidden gem for early learners, with the lowest chronic absenteeism (7.3%) and the best student-teacher ratio (13.6:1), plus the highest per-student spending ($15,127). In contrast, James T Jones Elementary shows a literacy weakness—3rd grade ELA proficiency is just 27%, a full 11 points below the state—while Gladstone Area Middle School excels in 8th grade science (54.2% vs. 39.2% statewide) but struggles with 7th grade ELA (30.4%).
District-wide, chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at every school, and science and social studies scores consistently outpace Michigan averages. However, math is a persistent challenge, especially in 5th grade (23.2% proficiency, 9 points below state). The middle school’s absenteeism (20.3%) is nearly triple Cameron’s, suggesting a need for engagement strategies there. Year-to-year swings—like the high school’s science drop from 53.8% to 27.2%—likely reflect small cohorts. Overall, the district directs more resources to its neediest students (Cameron has the highest free/reduced lunch rate at 35.2%), and its strong attendance and graduation metrics provide a solid foundation for addressing literacy and math gaps.
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