Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 48045

Zip code 48045 in Harrison Township, Michigan is home to two middle schools serving grades 6-8, both part of the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools district, with a combined enrollment of 984 students.

For parents comparing schools in this area, Middle School Central is the stronger performer overall, ranking in the 54th percentile statewide (3 stars) compared to Middle School South's 40th percentile (2 stars). Central serves a larger student body (601 vs. 383 students) and has a significantly lower poverty rate, with 37.77% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch versus 56.14% at South. This demographic difference correlates with academic outcomes: Central outperforms South in nearly every subject and grade level, with the widest gap in 8th grade science (40.4% proficiency vs. 21.1%) and social studies (48.8% vs. 35.9%). Central also has lower chronic absenteeism (27.1% vs. 33.4%). Interestingly, South actually spends more per student ($17,677 vs. $14,795) and maintains smaller class sizes (16.2:1 vs. 18.5:1), yet still trails academically—a reflection of the greater challenges its student population faces rather than inefficient spending.

Both schools share some notable patterns. Seventh grade stands out as a bright spot, with both schools showing strong year-over-year improvements in ELA and math (South gained 12.1 points in ELA and 13.6 points in math), suggesting students adapt well by their second year of middle school. However, a significant math weakness persists at both schools—PSAT math proficiency is just 21.1% at Central and 15.6% at South, far below the state average of 33.2%, while PSAT ELA scores are strong (72.5% and 61.7%, respectively). On a positive note, South has shown meaningful improvement in its state ranking over the past two years, climbing from the 33rd to 40th percentile, suggesting its higher spending and smaller classes may be starting to pay off. For parents, Central offers more consistent academic results, while South may appeal to those seeking a smaller school environment with a trajectory of improvement.