New Haven Community Schools

New Haven Community Schools is a small Michigan district serving roughly 1,537 students across four schools—two K-8 or K-4 elementaries, one traditional high school, and one virtual alternative school—with the district overall earning a 2-star rating and ranking in the 35th percentile statewide.

For parents, the standout is New Haven High School, which has earned 3 stars and ranks in the 62nd percentile, a big jump from the 46th percentile two years ago. Its 87.3% graduation rate beats both the district (78.2%) and state (84.0%), and its social studies proficiency (57.4%) far exceeds the state average (43.2%). However, SAT math proficiency sits at just 14.7% versus 26.5% statewide, suggesting students may graduate without strong college-ready math skills. In contrast, Endeavour Elementary and Middle School shines in early grades—3rd-grade math hits 55.9% proficiency, well above the state’s 42.9%—but then collapses to just 8.4% by 5th grade, a staggering 47.5-point drop that points to a possible curriculum or instruction problem in upper elementary math. New Haven Elementary School struggles more consistently, with math proficiency in the low 20s and a chronic absenteeism rate of 39.5%, nearly 12 points above the state. Lake Huron Virtual Hybrid High School posts the lowest test scores but has a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 15.7%, suggesting the virtual format engages students who struggled in traditional settings—though its 43.5:1 student-teacher ratio raises concerns about individualized support.

District-wide, math lags behind English language arts at every school and grade level, while social studies is a consistent strength. Spending varies widely—from $10,613 per student at Endeavour to $17,309 at the high school—yet higher spending doesn’t always mean better results, as New Haven Elementary spends nearly $17,000 per student with weaker outcomes. Year-over-year test scores at Endeavour swing dramatically (e.g., 5th-grade ELA dropped 19 points in one year), which may reflect small cohorts or inconsistent instruction. For parents, the high school offers the most promising trajectory, while early elementary at Endeavour is strong but needs monitoring as students advance.