Best High Schools in Zip Code 48220

Zip code 48220, encompassing the Ferndale, Michigan area, is served by three high schools within the Ferndale Public Schools district, offering a diverse range of educational models for students in grades 9-12.

For parents, the most significant choice is between Ferndale High School and University High School. Ferndale High School is the clear academic leader, outperforming its district counterparts in every subject and showing remarkable improvement, jumping from the 22nd to the 46th percentile in state rankings over two years. It also boasts a strong 91.2% graduation rate and lower chronic absenteeism. In contrast, University High School presents a paradox: despite ranking in the bottom 2% of Michigan schools academically and having an 80.5% chronic absenteeism rate, it graduates 95.8% of its students. This suggests a focus on credit recovery and student support rather than rigorous academics. The third option, Tri County Educational Center, appears to serve a different mission entirely, likely as an alternative program for at-risk students, evidenced by its low 32% graduation rate but remarkably low 6.2% chronic absenteeism.

Key takeaways for families include significant resource disparities, with Ferndale High School spending $18,300 per student compared to just $7,481 at Tri County Educational Center. While Ferndale High School performs near state averages in reading and social studies, SAT math proficiency is a district-wide weakness, with even the top school at just 16.2% proficiency. The district as a whole faces challenges, with a graduation rate of 72.1% and chronic absenteeism at 37.8%, both worse than state averages, though these figures are heavily influenced by the alternative schools. Ultimately, the choice depends on a student's needs: Ferndale High School offers a traditional, improving academic path, while University High School prioritizes ensuring students graduate.