Summary:
In zip code 48030, there is exactly one middle school, Hazel Park Junior High School, serving grades 6-8 within the Hazel Park School District of the City of, an area where a large majority of students come from low-income households.
Since this is the only middle school in the area, all attention falls on Hazel Park Junior High School, which faces significant academic hurdles. The school consistently ranks in the bottom 13% of Michigan middle schools, and proficiency rates are dramatically below state averages. For example, only 9.2% of 6th graders and 17.9% of 7th graders are proficient in English Language Arts, compared to state averages around 38%. Math scores are even lower, with just 7.4% of 6th graders and 9.8% of 7th graders proficient, versus state averages above 31%. In 8th grade, science proficiency is 21% (state: 39.2%) and social studies is 22.5% (state: 50.3%). The 8th grade PSAT shows a relative strength in English Language Arts, where 40.6% of students meet the benchmark, but only 9.4% meet the math benchmark.
The most striking issue is chronic absenteeism, which affects 58.1% of students—more than double the state average of 27.9%. This likely explains much of the low performance, as over half the student body misses significant instructional time. Interestingly, the district spends a substantial $20,482 per student and maintains a favorable 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio, yet these resources have not translated into academic success. There is also a year-over-year decline in 6th grade scores, suggesting incoming cohorts are academically weaker. For parents, this school is dealing with a complex crisis where high poverty (71.43% free/reduced lunch) and extreme absenteeism overshadow the district's financial investments, requiring a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond just classroom instruction.
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