Summary:
The Kaleva Norman Dickson School District is a small, rural district in Brethren, Michigan, serving about 514 students across three schools: KND Elementary (grades K-6), Brethren Middle School (grades 7-8), and Brethren High School (grades 9-12). The district faces significant challenges, with high poverty rates (60-77% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch) and chronic absenteeism above 40% at every school—far exceeding the state average of 27.9%.
Brethren High School stands out as the district’s relative bright spot, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide in 2024-2025. It is the only school where students outperform state averages in any subject—11th graders scored 46.7% proficient in Science (state: 34.9%) and 55.6% in Social Studies (state: 42.1%). However, this success coexists with the district’s highest chronic absenteeism rate (47.4%), suggesting a split between highly engaged students and a large disengaged group. In contrast, KND Elementary and Brethren Middle School lag significantly, with elementary math proficiency critically low (5th grade: 8.3% vs. state 32.2%) and middle school math at 12.2% (state: 33.3%).
A troubling trend emerges in math: a cohort of students saw proficiency plummet from 38.5% in 3rd grade (2024-2025) to just 15.4% in 4th grade (2025-2026)—a 23-point single-year drop. Meanwhile, ELA scores are comparatively stronger, with 8th graders reaching 51.3% proficiency on the PSAT (state: 64.8%). The district spends generously ($14,788-$16,652 per student), yet results remain below state averages, indicating that financial investment alone isn’t solving the engagement crisis. The high school’s graduation rate (84.8%) slightly exceeds the state average, but its 9.0% dropout rate remains a concern. For parents, this district offers pockets of success, particularly in high school science and social studies, but systemic absenteeism and math struggles demand attention.
Thank you for your feedback!