Summary:
Zip code 48060 in Port Huron, Michigan, is home to 7 elementary schools serving grades PK-8, with the majority belonging to the Port Huron Area School District and one independent charter, East Shore Leadership Academy.
For parents, the standout choice in this area is East Shore Leadership Academy, which despite having the second-highest poverty rate (92.6% free/reduced lunch) and the lowest per-student spending ($13,446), achieves the highest academic rankings. It outperforms all other local schools and even exceeds state averages in 8th-grade science (54.55% vs. 39.2%) and PSAT ELA (72.73% vs. 64.8%). Among traditional district schools, H D Crull Elementary School and Garfield Elementary School are the better performers, with H D Crull showing notable improvement in 4th-grade ELA (from 24.6% to 39.3%). In contrast, Roosevelt Elementary and Woodrow Wilson Elementary have fallen to 0-star ratings, ranking in the bottom 4th percentile statewide.
A striking pattern emerges: more money and smaller class sizes do not guarantee success. Woodrow Wilson Elementary spends the most per student ($21,548) with a 10.8:1 ratio yet performs worst, while East Shore Leadership Academy spends least with a 22.6:1 ratio and performs best. Chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of struggles—Woodrow Wilson (44.5%) and Cleveland Elementary (40.8%) have the highest rates and lowest scores, while Michigamme Elementary School (20.4%) outperforms several larger schools. Overall, all district schools rank in the bottom 26th percentile, and most show declining proficiency trends. However, East Shore Leadership Academy proves that high-poverty schools can excel with effective leadership and attendance management, making it the strongest option for families in this area.
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