New Lothrop Area Public Schools

New Lothrop Area Public Schools is a small, rural Michigan district serving about 903 students across two schools: New Lothrop Elementary School (PK-6) and New Lothrop High School (7-12), with the district earning a strong 4-star rating and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide.

New Lothrop Elementary School is the clear academic standout, particularly in mathematics. Its 5th grade math proficiency rate of 62.4% is nearly double the state average (32.2%), and the school outperforms state averages by 12 to 30 percentage points in math across grades 3 through 6. The elementary school also posts strong ELA scores in grades 3-5, though 6th grade ELA dips slightly below state proficiency. In contrast, New Lothrop High School excels in engagement metrics—boasting a 98.8% graduation rate (vs. 84% statewide) and a dropout rate of just 1.1%—but shows a dramatic split in SAT performance: 72.7% proficiency in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing versus only 27.3% in math. This math weakness persists across secondary grades, with PSAT math proficiency stuck between 30-40% from 8th through 10th grade, despite strong ELA scores (62-78% proficient).

Both schools benefit from remarkably low chronic absenteeism—7.4% at the elementary and 10.8% at the high school, compared to a 27.9% state average—indicating a highly engaged student body. Spending differs sharply, with the high school investing $16,500 per student versus $9,825 at the elementary school, yet the elementary school achieves better academic outcomes per dollar. The district serves a moderate-income community (about 35% free/reduced lunch) and shows year-to-year score volatility typical of small cohorts. The biggest takeaway for parents: elementary students receive exceptional math instruction, but that advantage fades by middle and high school, where reading and writing skills far outpace math. The high school’s excellent graduation and attendance rates suggest a supportive environment, but families should ask how the district plans to strengthen secondary math instruction to match its elementary success.