Summary:
Lamphere Public Schools, located in Madison Heights, MI, operates two high school programs serving grades 9-12 and 5-12, respectively, with a combined enrollment of roughly 780 students. The district offers a stark contrast between a large, traditional high school and a small, highly specialized alternative program.
Lamphere High School is the district’s academic anchor, enrolling 753 students in grades 9-12. It has shown impressive momentum, jumping from the 39th to the 65th percentile in state rankings over two years. Its graduation rate is a standout 95%, well above the state’s 84%, and its dropout rate of 3.3% is less than half the state average. However, college readiness is a mixed bag: while students outperform state averages in science, social studies, and 10th-grade ELA, they fall short on SAT math (20.6% proficient vs. 26.5% statewide) and reading/writing (47.9% vs. 52.1%). Chronic absenteeism sits at 27.8%, matching the state average, and about half of students qualify for free/reduced lunch. Per-student spending is $17,722 with a 19.1:1 student-teacher ratio.
By contrast, Lamphere Center is a tiny, resource-intensive program serving just 29 students across grades 5-12. Its per-student spending of $90,958—over five times that of the main high school—and a 4.1:1 student-teacher ratio signal a highly individualized environment for students with significant needs. Chronic absenteeism is a serious concern at 47.6%, nearly double the state rate. Graduation and dropout rates are reported as 0%, likely because students transfer back to the main high school to earn diplomas. Both schools serve a similar low-income population (~50%), yet Lamphere High achieves strong outcomes, suggesting effective support systems. For parents, the choice is clear: Lamphere High offers a traditional, improving academic path, while Lamphere Center provides intensive, wrap-around support for a very small, high-need population.
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