Summary:
Zip code 48105 in Ann Arbor is home to four high-performing elementary schools within the Ann Arbor Public Schools district, serving grades K-5 (with one K-8 option) and consistently ranking well above state averages in a community known for its educational focus.
For parents, this area offers exceptional school choices, but with notable differences. Martin Luther King Elementary School is the standout academic leader, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with the lowest chronic absenteeism (14.2%) and the lowest poverty rate (9% free/reduced lunch). Its test scores often exceed state averages by 30-40 points. Logan Elementary School is also excellent, ranking in the 95th percentile, and is notable for having the highest per-student spending at $24,402—yet it does not outperform Martin Luther King, which spends the least ($15,788). This suggests that funding alone doesn't drive success here. Ann Arbor STEAM at Northside School offers a unique K-8 structure and ranks in the 93rd percentile, but shows a concerning "middle school dip" where 7th-grade proficiency drops significantly. Thurston Elementary School is the lowest-ranked of the group (85th percentile) and has shown a steady decline from the 94th percentile over three years, despite having the second-highest spending.
All four schools share strengths: they have chronic absenteeism rates roughly half the district average (35.7%), and they all excel particularly in math, with 5th-grade proficiency ranging from 60.6% to 82.6% versus a 32.2% state average. Student-teacher ratios are tight, between 14.3 and 15.7. While Martin Luther King leads academically, families should weigh factors like the STEAM curriculum at Ann Arbor STEAM, the smaller enrollment at Logan (349 students), and the downward trend at Thurston when making their choice. Overall, this zip code provides a wealth of strong educational options with minimal risk.
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