Summary:
Pinckney Community Schools is a 4-star district in southeastern Michigan serving about 2,023 students across six schools: three elementary schools (two for PK-2 and one for grades 3-5), one middle school for grades 6-8, and two high schools for grades 9-12, including a small alternative program.
The standout performer is Pinckney Community High School, which made a dramatic leap from a 2-star to a 4-star rating in one year, now ranking in the 78th percentile statewide. It boasts a 91.5% graduation rate and a dropout rate of just 2.6%—less than half the state average. Its SAT reading and writing scores (58.2% proficient) and 9th/10th grade PSAT ELA scores (77.6% and 75%) are well above state norms. Pathfinder School (middle school) has held a 4-star rating for three straight years, with exceptional 8th-grade science (57.7% proficient) and social studies (62.4% proficient) results—outpacing the state by 18 and 12 points respectively. Among elementary schools, Farley Hill Elementary School stands out for its remarkably low 9.3% chronic absenteeism rate, while Navigator Upper Elementary School shows consistent ELA proficiency above state averages across grades 3-5.
Spending varies notably by school size. The two PK-2 schools—Farley Hill ($16,290 per student) and Country Elementary School ($16,645)—spend significantly more than the larger schools like Pinckney High ($13,601) and Pathfinder ($13,184), reflecting fixed costs spread over fewer students. The alternative school, The LINK A Pathway to Success, serves just 15 students with a 46.67% free/reduced lunch rate and costs $19,242 per student—its 50% graduation rate highlights the intensive support needed for its unique population. District-wide, chronic absenteeism is just 15.9% versus the state's 27.9%, indicating a strong attendance culture. One area to watch: 7th-grade ELA at Pathfinder (39.4% proficient) lags its own 6th and 8th grade scores, suggesting a possible literacy dip worth monitoring.
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