Eastern High School

Eastern High School in Lansing, MI, is a public high school serving 798 students in grades 9-12 within the Lansing Public School District, where 86.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The most striking story at Eastern is its graduation rate. After sitting at just 67.5% in 2020-2021, the school has climbed to an impressive 97.0% for 2024-2025—the highest in the area, even surpassing nearby East Lansing High School (88.8%). This dramatic improvement suggests the school has implemented successful interventions to keep students on track to earn their diplomas. However, this success comes with a paradox: while students are graduating at exceptional rates, academic proficiency on state tests remains low. Only 12.6% of 11th graders are proficient in math, and 37.9% are proficient in SAT reading. This gap suggests the school may be prioritizing credit recovery and graduation pathways over rigorous academic instruction. Notably, Eastern outperforms its district peers—Everett High School and JW Sexton High School—on every subject test, making it the strongest academic performer within the district.

Attendance remains a significant concern, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 58.7%—more than double the state average of 27.9%. The school spends a substantial $21,269 per student, far more than neighboring districts like Waverly Community Schools ($15,016) or East Lansing School District ($15,407). This investment appears to be paying off in student persistence rather than test scores, likely funding social services and support for at-risk students. While the school ranks in the bottom quartile statewide, its high graduation rate and consistent improvement make it a school that clearly cares about seeing its students cross the finish line.