Joseph K Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe Academy

Joseph K Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe Academy is a tribally-controlled K-8 public school academy in Sault Sainte Marie, MI, serving 601 students as its own district. This school stands out locally for its strong middle-school humanities and science programs, though it faces challenges in math and with certain student groups.

The most impressive finding is the school's exceptional performance in 8th-grade Science and Social Studies. In the most recent school year, 71.2% of 8th graders were proficient in Social Studies—a remarkable 21-point lead over the state average—and 53.8% were proficient in Science, also well above the state. This isn't a fluke; the previous year saw a 76.5% proficiency rate in Social Studies. The school also shines with its Native American students, ranking 2nd out of 8 schools statewide for this subgroup. However, this success doesn't extend to math, where proficiency rates in grades 3-7 hover between 21% and 29%, all below state averages. There's also a persistent gender gap, with female students consistently outperforming males by a significant margin.

Compared to nearby options like Sault Area Elementary School and Lake Superior Academy, Bahweting is a relative academic leader in elementary ELA, posting higher proficiency rates in grades 3-5. The school invests heavily in its students, spending over $23,000 per pupil—nearly 50% more than the local district—and maintains a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Yet, this high funding hasn't translated into consistent results across all areas. A recent sharp decline in outcomes for low-income students (dropping from the 56th to the 29th percentile) and a chronic absenteeism rate above 31% are concerns. For parents, this school offers a culturally-rich environment with standout middle-school teaching, but it's wise to ask how the school plans to address its math gaps and support for all learners.