Superior Central School

Superior Central School in Eben Junction, MI, is a small, rural public school serving 329 students in grades PK-12 on a single campus within the Superior Central School District, where about 52% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

The most impressive thing about this school is how well it supports students through to graduation. In the 2024-2025 school year, the graduation rate hit 93.7%—nearly 10 points higher than the state average of 84.0%—and the dropout rate was 0.0%, compared to 7.1% statewide. This isn't a one-year fluke; the school has consistently beaten state averages for five straight years. High school academics are also a standout, particularly in science and social studies. In 2024-2025, 57.1% of 11th graders were proficient in science (state: 34.9%) and 71.4% were proficient in social studies (state: 42.1%). SAT scores in reading and math are right in line with state averages, showing solid, well-rounded preparation. Since there are no other schools within 20 miles, these results are especially meaningful for local families—this is the only game in town, and it's performing well.

That said, there are areas to watch. Math proficiency in elementary and middle school grades is a consistent challenge. For example, only 13.3% of 6th graders were proficient in math in 2024-2025, compared to 31.5% statewide. Chronic absenteeism, while improving steadily from 31.3% in 2020-2021 down to 19.5% in 2024-2025, still affects about 1 in 5 students. Because the school is small, individual grade-level cohorts are tiny, so year-to-year test scores can swing dramatically based on just a few students. On the positive side, the district invests heavily in its students, spending $15,881 per pupil in 2024-2025, which likely contributes to the strong graduation rates and high school test performance. Overall, this is a school that excels at keeping students engaged and graduating them ready for the next step, with its main growth area being earlier-grade math instruction.