Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48126

Zip code 48126 in Dearborn, Michigan, is served by 18 schools—including 12 elementary, 3 middle, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school—that collectively enroll about 9,474 students, with the vast majority of families (roughly 91% on average) qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

For parents, the standout choice in this area is Iris Becker Elementary School, which ranks in the 75th percentile statewide and posts proficiency rates well above state averages in 3rd grade ELA (54.8% vs. 38.2%), 4th grade math (65.8% vs. 39.4%), and 5th grade social studies (48.4% vs. 27.5%)—all while serving a 94.6% economically disadvantaged population. Lowrey Middle School is the top middle school, ranking in the 79th percentile and doubling state averages in 6th and 7th grade math. Oakman Elementary School has shown strong recent improvement, climbing over 200 spots in state rankings, with 73.2% 3rd grade math proficiency. In contrast, charter schools like Academy for Business and Technology Elementary and Riverside Academy West Campus rank in the single digits statewide, with math proficiency often below 16% and chronic absenteeism as high as 55.1%.

High schools in the Dearborn City School District excel at keeping students on track: Fordson High School and Riverside Academy West both boast 96.1% graduation rates and dropout rates near zero, far exceeding the state’s 84% graduation rate. However, test scores lag, with Fordson’s SAT math proficiency at 18.9% versus the state’s 26.5%. A notable pattern across the district is a sharp decline in math proficiency between 4th and 5th grade—for example, Iris Becker drops from 65.8% to 38.7%—suggesting a curriculum transition that may need attention. Per-student spending varies widely, from $13,193 at Advanced Technology Academy to $25,614 at Iris Becker, with higher spending generally correlating with stronger outcomes. Overall, Dearborn City schools demonstrate that high-poverty schools can achieve strong results, but the gap between district schools and local charters serving similar populations is stark.