Hopkins Public Schools

Hopkins Public Schools is a small, rural Michigan district serving about 1,415 students across four schools: two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The district overall earns a 4-star rating and ranks in the 84th percentile statewide, making it a solid choice for families seeking strong graduation rates and low absenteeism, though academic performance varies significantly by school and grade level.

The district’s standout is Sycamore Elementary School, which consistently ranks among Michigan’s top 10% of elementary schools. It posts exceptional ELA proficiency rates (61.5% to 75% in grades 3-5) and has the district’s lowest chronic absenteeism at just 5.7%. Sycamore also spends the most per student ($17,274) and maintains the smallest class sizes (12.6:1 student-teacher ratio), which appears to drive its success. By contrast, Hopkins Elementary School serves a similar demographic but trails significantly in later elementary grades—for example, a 31.5-point gap in 4th grade math (38.8% vs. 70.3%). Interestingly, Hopkins Elementary actually leads in 3rd grade math (70.6% vs. 46.2%), suggesting Sycamore’s advantage compounds over time. Hopkins Middle School posts solid test scores—8th grade PSAT math is 50.5% vs. 33.2% statewide—but struggles with chronic absenteeism at 23.5%, four times higher than Sycamore’s rate.

The most pressing concern is at Hopkins High School, where 11th grade SAT math proficiency has collapsed to just 11.4%—a staggering 15.1 points below the state average and a 60% drop from the prior year. Despite this, the high school excels in other areas: a 95.7% graduation rate, a 1.7% dropout rate, and strong SAT reading/writing scores (63.2% vs. 52.1% statewide). The district’s overall chronic absenteeism (13.6%) is less than half the state rate, and its graduation rate is nearly 12 points higher. For parents, this district offers excellent elementary options—especially Sycamore—and strong student outcomes overall, but the high school math decline and middle school attendance issues are clear areas needing attention.