Saginaw School District of the City of

The Saginaw School District of the City of serves approximately 4,575 students across 16 schools (10 elementary, 2 middle, 3 high, and 1 alternative) in Saginaw, Michigan, a district ranked in the 21st percentile statewide and marked by high economic disadvantage, with free/reduced lunch eligibility ranging from 19% to nearly 97%.

This is a district of stark contrasts. At the top, Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy is ranked #1 in Michigan with a perfect 5-star rating, posting proficiency rates nearly double the state average (e.g., 69.6% in 11th-grade math vs. 26.5% statewide) and a 96.3% graduation rate. Similarly, Handley School earns 5 stars and sits in the 98th percentile, with 3rd-grade math proficiency at 94.4% and the district’s lowest chronic absenteeism at 16.9%. Meanwhile, most neighborhood schools struggle profoundly: Jessie Loomis School, Stone School, and Jessie Rouse School rank in the bottom 2–9th percentile, with proficiency rates often below 15%. The middle schools are especially concerning: Saginaw Middle School posts just 2.5% proficiency in 6th-grade math, and Thompson Middle School has 72.9% chronic absenteeism.

For parents, the takeaway is that school choice matters enormously here. Saginaw United High School offers a strong 91.6% graduation rate despite low test scores, while alternative schools like The Success Academy and Career Opportunities Center report 0% graduation rates and serve highly at-risk populations. The district’s biggest lever is attendance—chronic absenteeism averages 59.5% (vs. 27.9% statewide), and the schools with the lowest absenteeism (Handley, SASA) are precisely the highest achievers. Math is a district-wide crisis, with several schools below 5% proficiency. If you can secure a spot at SASA or Handley, your child will receive a world-class education; otherwise, be prepared to advocate heavily for attendance and math support at your zoned school.