Summary:
ZIP code 48051 in Chesterfield, Michigan, is served by three schools within the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools district, including two elementary schools and one middle school, with no high schools in the immediate area.
For parents exploring options, Francis A Higgins Elementary School stands out as the strongest math performer, beating state averages by 8-10 points in grades 3-5, and it also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (17.3%) and the highest per-student spending ($16,416) with the smallest class sizes. Joseph M Carkenord Elementary School is the science leader, posting 50% proficiency in 5th-grade science—10 points above the state—and also exceeds state averages in social studies, though its math scores decline more sharply than its peer school as students advance. Middle School East is the rising star, climbing from the 56th to 69th percentile in state rankings over two years, with 8th-grade PSAT English scores (69.8%) well above the state average, though its math scores remain near the state norm.
All three schools earn 3-star ratings and share a notable strength: chronic absenteeism rates (17.3%–21.4%) are 7-10 points better than the district average of 28.7%. A key concern is the consistent decline in math proficiency from 3rd through 8th grade—for example, Carkenord drops from 44.7% proficiency in 3rd grade to just 29.6% by 5th grade, and the transition to middle school brings another dip in both ELA and math. While Higgins spends $2,582 more per student than Carkenord and achieves better math results, Carkenord's science and social studies outperformance shows that higher spending doesn't guarantee success in every subject. Overall, these schools provide solid mid-tier education with strong attendance and targeted strengths, though families should watch the math trajectory and consider how well the middle school supports incoming 6th graders.
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