Summary:
Zip code 48023, serving the Ira and East China areas of Michigan, contains four schools—two elementary schools, two high schools, and no middle schools—spanning the Anchor Bay School District and the East China School District, with a combined enrollment of roughly 2,337 students.
Families in this area face a stark choice between two very different elementary experiences. Palms Elementary School is the clear academic standout, earning a 4-star rating and climbing 268 spots in state rankings over two years to the 80th percentile. It outperforms state averages in every tested subject, with 3rd grade math proficiency at 61.4% versus the state's 42.9%. In contrast, Francois Maconce Elementary School has fallen to a 2-star rating (34th percentile) and trails state averages by 8-16 points in most subjects. Notably, Francois Maconce spends the most per student ($15,714) yet produces the weakest results, while Palms achieves its success with $2,700 less per student. Chronic absenteeism tells a similar story: 34.9% at Francois Maconce versus just 15.7% at Palms.
At the high school level, Anchor Bay High School provides solid, consistent performance with a 94.8% graduation rate—nearly 11 points above the state—and strong ELA scores, though science and social studies proficiency lag state averages. However, the school saw dramatic year-over-year drops in science (down 10 points) and social studies (down 14 points), which may warrant attention. East China Virtual Academy offers a niche alternative for grades 6-12 with just 33 students, a 0% dropout rate, but a lower 77.7% graduation rate. Overall, the East China School District ranks higher (160th vs. 191st) largely due to Palms' performance, while the Anchor Bay School District shows greater inconsistency between its elementary and high school outcomes.
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