Plymouth-Canton Community Schools

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools is a highly regarded district in Michigan’s western suburbs, serving roughly 15,000 students across 23 schools—14 elementary, 5 middle, and 4 high schools—and earning a 4-star rating that places it in the 83rd percentile statewide.

Families will find exceptional options at every level, but outcomes vary widely depending on the school. East Middle School is the district’s standout, ranking in the 98th percentile of Michigan middle schools with 72–75% of students proficient in ELA and math—far above district averages. At the high school level, Plymouth High School leads with the strongest SAT math scores (56.8% proficient) and top social studies results, while Salem High School boasts the highest graduation rate at 97.5%. Among elementary schools, Isbister Elementary School shines with 3rd-grade math proficiency near 78% and the district’s lowest chronic absenteeism (7.2%). Gallimore Elementary School posts extraordinary science and social studies scores, though its data is incomplete. At the other end, Starkweather Academy Fiegel faces severe challenges—a 60.6% graduation rate, 79.7% chronic absenteeism, and test scores 40–50 points below district norms—despite receiving the highest per-student funding ($24,461).

Several patterns matter for parents. Chronic absenteeism strongly tracks performance: top schools like Smith Elementary School (8.8% absenteeism) outperform struggling ones like Hulsing Elementary School (24.8%), where 5th-grade math proficiency falls below 25%. Math is a district-wide weakness—SAT math proficiency (52–57%) trails ELA (75–77%) by roughly 25 points at every level. Additionally, strong elementary performance doesn’t guarantee middle school success, as feeder patterns show uneven transitions. While the district’s overall ranking is strong, the gap between its best and weakest schools—nearly 30 percentile points among middle schools alone—means school choice within the district significantly shapes a child’s experience.