Summary:
Zip code 48117, encompassing the Carleton, Michigan area, is served by a single public high school, Airport Senior High School, which is part of the Airport Community Schools district and educates students in grades 9 through 12.
For parents considering this area, Airport Senior High School presents a mixed but interesting profile. The school's standout strength is in literacy: 61.9% of 11th graders were proficient in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, which is nearly 10 points above the state average. This academic strength is complemented by a strong graduation rate of 91.8%, which outpaces both the district (83.0%) and the state (84.0%), and a lower dropout rate than the state. However, the school shows significant weaknesses in other core subjects. Proficiency in M-Step Science (25.2%) and Social Studies (24.7%) for 11th graders falls well below state averages, and SAT Math proficiency (20.6%) also lags behind the state. This creates a clear picture of a school that excels in verbal skills but struggles with math and content-specific knowledge in science and social studies.
One of the most interesting takeaways is the school's positive trajectory. After a dip in the 2024-2025 school year, its state ranking improved dramatically in the 2025-2026 data, jumping 64 spots to 403rd out of roughly 740-800 schools, moving it from the 37th to the 50th percentile. Another notable finding is the paradox of a high graduation rate despite a chronic absenteeism rate of 30.5%, which is higher than the state average. This suggests the school has effective systems to help students who miss significant school time still earn their diplomas. With a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1 and per-student spending of $14,613, the school serves a student body where 45.53% are eligible for free or reduced lunch. While it consistently outperforms its own district averages, it still faces challenges in matching state proficiency levels in several key academic areas.
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