Rogers School

Rogers School is a K-5 elementary school in Auburn Hills, MI, serving 280 students as part of the Pontiac City School District, where 70% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

Rogers School faces significant academic challenges, ranking in the bottom 20th percentile of Michigan elementary schools. However, it stands out as a relative success story within its own district. In the 2025-2026 school year, Rogers outperformed its district average in every subject and grade level tested—sometimes by wide margins, such as 36.6% versus 12.4% proficiency in 3rd-grade math. This is notably better than nearby district peers like Owen Elementary School and Herrington School, which rank in the bottom 4% and 0% statewide, respectively. The school also shows pockets of strength with specific student groups—African American students ranked in the 64th percentile statewide, and English Language Learners also ranked in the 64th percentile, suggesting targeted supports may be working.

The most striking comparison is with schools in the neighboring Rochester Community School District, located just 2.5 to 3.5 miles away. While Rogers posts 5th-grade math proficiency around 18.8%, nearby schools like Musson Elementary School (81.1%) and Brewster Elementary School (68.1%) achieve dramatically higher results. Chronic absenteeism is a critical hurdle—65.6% of Rogers students are chronically absent, more than double the state average and far above the 8-14% rates at Rochester schools. Interestingly, Rogers spends more per student ($20,321) than those higher-performing schools, highlighting that challenges like poverty and attendance—not funding alone—drive outcomes. A notable gender gap also exists, with male students ranking in the 32nd percentile while female students rank in the 5th percentile, suggesting different supports may be needed.