Lewton School

Lewton School is a public school in Lansing, MI, serving 272 students in grades PK through 8 as part of the Lansing Public School District.

Lewton presents a fascinating "tale of two schools" within one building. In the elementary grades (3rd-5th), proficiency rates are generally modest and close to district averages. However, the middle school grades tell a very different story. Lewton's 8th graders recently achieved standout results, with 69% proficient in ELA and 62% in Science—nearly four times the district average in science. Even in earlier middle school years, students consistently outperform their district peers by wide margins. This suggests a particularly strong middle school program that helps students accelerate once they reach those grades. That said, scores can swing significantly from year to year, partly due to small class sizes, so it's important not to over-interpret any single year's results.

When compared to nearby schools, Lewton outperforms struggling peers like Dwight Rich School of the Arts and Forrest G Averill School, but lags behind higher-achieving options like Cavanaugh School, which posts nearly double the proficiency rates despite serving a similar student population. One area of concern is chronic absenteeism, which affects 44.6% of students—well above the state average. On the positive side, Lewton invests heavily in its students, spending $22,959 per pupil, and its recent state ranking improved significantly from the 12th to the 28th percentile. For parents, this school may be an especially good fit for families seeking strong middle school academics, though the early elementary years and attendance challenges are worth understanding before enrolling.