Best High Schools in Zip Code 48135

Zip code 48135, covering Garden City, Michigan, is home to 2 high schools serving grades 9-12 within the Garden City Public Schools district, which holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the bottom quarter of Michigan districts.

Garden City High School is the clear academic leader in this area, earning a 2-star rating and ranking in the 37th percentile statewide—up from the 30th percentile the prior year. It serves 896 students and posts a strong 93.7% graduation rate, well above the district’s 73.4% and the state’s 84.0%. While its proficiency rates lag state averages in every subject, it outperforms its district across the board, with 47.5% of 11th graders proficient in SAT reading/writing versus just 11.1% at Cambridge Alternative High School. Garden City High also shows positive momentum, improving in science, SAT reading/writing, and SAT math year over year.

In stark contrast, Cambridge Alternative High School serves a much more challenged population, with 72.1% of its 258 students qualifying for free/reduced lunch—nearly double the rate at Garden City High. Its 0-star rating and 4th percentile state ranking reflect severe struggles: a 54.5% graduation rate, a 23.3% dropout rate (8 times higher than Garden City High’s 2.8%), and a 77.5% chronic absenteeism rate, nearly triple the state average. Proficiency is extremely low, with just 6.78% proficient in social studies and 11.1% in SAT reading/writing. Notably, Cambridge receives $2,000 less per student ($14,423 vs. $16,423) and has a higher student-teacher ratio (23.8:1 vs. 18.1:1) despite serving more disadvantaged students—an equity concern. Mathematics is a district-wide weakness, with only 14.1% proficient in SAT math at Garden City High and no reported scores at Cambridge. For parents, Garden City High offers a more stable, improving environment, while Cambridge serves as an alternative pathway for students needing additional support, though both schools face significant challenges relative to state averages.