Schools in Zip Code 48043

Zip code 48043 in Mount Clemens, Michigan, is served by 7 schools—4 elementary, 1 middle, 1 high, and 1 alternative school—enrolling roughly 1,954 students across a mix of traditional public, charter, and specialized facilities.

For parents, the standout choice is Mt Clemens Montessori Academy, which outperforms state averages in nearly every subject, has the lowest poverty rate (35.6% free/reduced lunch), the lowest chronic absenteeism among elementary schools (28.7%), and the most efficient spending at $11,866 per student. In contrast, the three schools in the Mount Clemens Community School District—Seminole Academy, Mount Clemens Middle School, and Mount Clemens High School—rank in the bottom 4-8% statewide, with chronic absenteeism between 55% and 65.3%, more than double the state average. Prevail Academy is the most improved school, jumping from the 22nd to 44th percentile in one year despite serving a 90.6% economically disadvantaged population, with 3rd grade ELA proficiency rising from 12.9% to 34% and 5th grade science soaring from 14.3% to 47.8%. Clinton Valley Elementary School, though part of the higher-performing Chippewa Valley Schools, still ranks in the bottom 30% of Michigan elementary schools, underperforming its own district by 10-20 points in most subjects.

Key takeaways: spending does not equal results—Seminole Academy spends $16,339 per student yet has the lowest test scores, while Mt Clemens Montessori Academy spends the least and achieves the best outcomes. Chronic absenteeism is a crisis in the Mount Clemens district, likely driving poor academics. Math proficiency consistently declines as students advance across schools, suggesting early math foundations need attention. Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center School serves a transient population with a 7.9:1 student-teacher ratio but 0% graduation rate. The high school pipeline is troubling: only 5.36% of 9th graders are proficient in PSAT math, and the graduation rate is 70.1% versus the state's 84%.