Three Rivers Community Schools

Three Rivers Community Schools is a mid-sized Michigan district serving approximately 2,145 students across six schools—four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school—in a community with moderate-to-high poverty levels, where free/reduced lunch rates range from 33.5% to 53.1%.

For parents, the standout school is Andrews Elementary School, which has surged from the 52nd to the 74th percentile in just two years, earning a 4-star rating. Despite having a 47.6% poverty rate, Andrews posts the district's best test scores—72.5% third-grade math proficiency versus the state's 42.9%—and the lowest chronic absenteeism at 13.7%. This contrasts sharply with Ruth Hoppin School, which has nearly identical demographics (47.4% poverty) but absenteeism more than double (29.9%) and significantly lower scores, including just 38.5% third-grade math proficiency. Norton Elementary School, the smallest school, also performs well, with 72% third-grade math proficiency in 2024-2025, though recent data is limited. Park Elementary School struggles most among elementaries, with the highest poverty rate (53.1%) and low proficiency scores.

The district's biggest challenge is Three Rivers Middle School, where sixth-grade ELA proficiency is just 17.9% versus the state's 37.5%—a nearly 20-point gap—despite spending the most per student ($26,667). Math performance also declines as students advance: while elementary scores often exceed state averages, SAT math at Three Rivers High School falls to 17.7% proficiency versus the state's 26.5%. However, the high school boasts a remarkable 95.2% graduation rate and a 3.3% dropout rate, far better than state averages. Social studies is a district-wide weakness, with all elementary schools scoring below the state's 27.5% proficiency. Overall, the district ranks in the 58th percentile, showing improvement at Andrews and Norton, but parents should weigh the stark differences in school quality and the middle school transition when choosing where to enroll.