Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48126

The 48126 zip code in Dearborn, Michigan is home to 19 schools, including 12 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative school, all part of the Dearborn City School District. While the district is ranked 279 out of 613 in Michigan and has a 3-star rating, the schools within the zip code show significant disparities in academic performance.

Among the standout schools is Iris Becker Elementary School, which consistently ranks in the top 400 elementary schools in Michigan and earns a 4-star rating. It boasts strong test scores, with over 50% of students proficient in English Language Arts and Math. Another high-performing school is Lowrey Middle School, which ranks in the top 300 middle schools in the state and has proficiency rates above 40% in core subjects. In contrast, Fordson High School, while the largest high school in the area with over 2,000 students, has a relatively low graduation rate of 82.8% and a high dropout rate of 7.6%.

The data reveals that many schools in the 48126 zip code face significant challenges, with high rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 80% to over 98%. This, coupled with chronic absenteeism rates around 29.5%, suggests that the schools must overcome substantial obstacles to student success. District leaders should focus on replicating the best practices of the top-performing schools, such as Lowrey Middle School, and develop targeted interventions to address the specific needs of the lower-performing schools in the area.