Summary:
Zip code 48133 in Erie, Michigan is home to 2 high schools serving grades 9-12 (and 6-12 for the virtual option), both part of the Mason Consolidated Schools (Monroe) district, which ranks in the top 20% of Michigan districts with a 4-star rating.
For families in this area, Mason Senior High School is clearly the stronger choice academically. This traditional school of 316 students boasts an excellent 95.9% graduation rate—nearly 12 points above the state average—and shows genuine strengths in humanities subjects. Students score well above state averages in social studies (+11.6 points) and SAT reading/writing (+9.2 points). However, the school has a significant weakness in STEM subjects, with SAT math proficiency at just 12.9% (13.6 points below the state) and science at 22.6% (12.6 points below). Most concerning is the dramatic year-over-year decline in math scores, which fell from 34.6% to 12.9% proficiency. The school also struggles with chronic absenteeism at 30.6%, above the state average of 27.9%, despite its strong graduation outcomes.
In contrast, Mason Virtual Academy serves just 20 students in grades 6-12 as an alternative online option. While it operates more cost-efficiently at $10,547 per student (vs. $14,686 at the traditional school), its outcomes are significantly weaker: a 76.9% graduation rate (19 points below Mason Senior High), a 39.1% chronic absenteeism rate, and a 7.6% dropout rate that exceeds the state average. Given the tiny student population, these statistics can shift dramatically with just a few students. For parents weighing options, Mason Senior High offers a much stronger academic foundation, particularly in reading and social studies, though families should consider supplemental math and science support given the school's persistent STEM challenges.
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