Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48220

Zip code 48220, covering Ferndale and part of Hazel Park, Michigan, is served by 7 schools across two districts—Ferndale Public Schools and Hazel Park School District of the City of—spanning elementary through high school and including alternative programs, with a total enrollment of about 2,511 students.

For parents, the standout choice in this area is Ferndale High School, which has shown remarkable improvement, jumping from the 22nd to the 46th percentile in state rankings over two years. It boasts a 91.2% graduation rate—well above the state average of 84%—and a very low 1.1% dropout rate. Its feeder school, Ferndale Middle School, is the highest-rated school in the zip code with a 3-star rating, and its social studies proficiency actually exceeds the state average. In contrast, Webb Elementary School in Hazel Park is struggling, with declining performance and alarmingly low proficiency rates, especially in social studies (5.8%) and math (11.5%). The alternative schools—Edison, Jardon Vocational School, and Tri County Educational Center—serve high-need populations but show poor outcomes, with Edison reporting a 0% graduation rate and a 50% dropout rate despite spending over $100,000 per student.

A critical issue across the zip code is chronic absenteeism, which is catastrophic at University High School (80.5%) and Edison (73.9%), and severe at Ferndale High (55.4%). Interestingly, Tri County has the best attendance rate (6.2%) yet still graduates only 32% of students. Math proficiency is universally low—even the best school, Ferndale Middle, sits at 24.7%, below the state average. The most encouraging trend is Ferndale High’s turnaround, suggesting targeted interventions are working. However, the stark contrast between the two districts—with Ferndale showing a clear improvement pathway and Hazel Park schools lagging—highlights significant inequities in resources and outcomes that parents should carefully consider.