Chatfield School

Chatfield School is a public K-8 school in Lapeer, MI, serving 483 students as its own single-school district, and it stands out as a top performer in the region with a 5-star rating and a district ranking in the 94th percentile statewide.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that Chatfield delivers consistently strong academic results across every grade and subject. In the 2025-2026 school year, proficiency rates in English Language Arts ranged from 48.2% in 5th grade to 70.9% in 6th grade, while math proficiency ranged from 44.6% to 70.9%—both well above state averages. The school's 8th-grade PSAT scores are particularly impressive: 81.1% of students met the ELA benchmark and 54.7% met the math benchmark, compared to 64.8% and 33.2% statewide. This college-readiness edge is a strong sign that students are well-prepared for high school. Chatfield also keeps chronic absenteeism low at 15.1%, less than half the state average of 29.5%, which reflects a culture where students show up and stay engaged.

What makes Chatfield especially noteworthy is how it compares to nearby schools. In the Lapeer Community Schools district, for example, 4th-grade ELA proficiency at schools like Emma Murphy Elementary School and Elva Lynch Elementary School falls below 45%, while Chatfield hits 68.5%. Even Hill Elementary School in Davison Community Schools, a strong performer in its own right, trails Chatfield in most grades. Chatfield also achieves these results while spending less per student ($12,235) than many nearby schools, which spend between $13,781 and $17,085. Its K-8 model eliminates the disruptive elementary-to-middle-school transition, helping students maintain momentum through 8th grade. While 5th-grade scores dip slightly, they still exceed state averages, making Chatfield a cost-effective, high-quality choice for families seeking academic excellence in the Lapeer area.