Summary
Gladwin Intermediate School serves 386 students in grades 3-5 in Gladwin, MI, a small community where about 56% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school is part of Gladwin Community Schools, which holds a 3-star rating statewide.
One of the most encouraging trends at Gladwin Intermediate is the dramatic improvement in attendance. During the 2020-2021 pandemic year, a staggering 71.4% of students were chronically absent—more than triple the state average. Since then, the school has shown steady, year-over-year progress: 40.4% in 2021-2022, then 29.6%, 26.4%, and now 21.2% in 2024-2025. That current rate is actually below the state average of 27.9%, a notable achievement given where the school started. This suggests the staff has been actively and successfully addressing attendance challenges.
Academically, the picture is more mixed. The school shows a relative strength in 3rd grade reading, where 44.3% of students scored proficient in 2023-2024—about 5 points above the state average. However, as students progress through the grades, they tend to fall further behind state averages. By 5th grade, only 33.3% are proficient in ELA (10.5 points below state) and just 24.6% in math (7.6 points below state). This pattern suggests early literacy instruction is working, but the school struggles to maintain momentum in upper elementary. When compared to nearby Beaverton Elementary School—which serves a similar student population—Gladwin outperforms in 3rd grade reading (32.3% vs. 22.2%) but lags in 5th grade science (33.3% vs. 43.5%) and social studies (19.8% vs. 33.3%).
On a positive note, Gladwin Intermediate spends $13,446 per student—less than nearby Robert M Larson Elementary ($17,364), Clare Primary School ($14,927), and Coleman Elementary School ($14,792)—yet achieves comparable or better overall results. The school has also stabilized after a decline from its mid-2010s peak, holding steady in the mid-30th percentile range for the past several years. For parents, this is a school that has overcome significant attendance hurdles and manages resources efficiently, though it faces clear challenges in supporting students as they move toward middle school.
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