Summary:
Zip code 48386 in White Lake, Michigan is served by three public elementary schools—Dublin Elementary, Oxbow Elementary School, and Houghton Elementary School—which together enroll 1,142 students across grades PK-5, with no middle or high schools located within the zip code itself.
Families comparing these schools will find dramatic differences in academic outcomes. Dublin Elementary, part of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, is the clear standout with a 4-star rating and the highest proficiency rates in every subject—averaging 57.7% in English Language Arts and 47.2% in math, both well above state averages. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism (8.0%) and the lowest poverty rate (23.77% free/reduced lunch). Oxbow Elementary School in Huron Valley Schools has shown remarkable improvement, jumping from a 1-star to a 3-star rating in two years, though it still trails its district average in most subjects. Houghton Elementary School in Waterford School District faces the steepest challenges, with a 2-star rating, the highest chronic absenteeism (24.9%), and the highest poverty rate (58.27%).
One of the most striking findings is the spending paradox: Houghton Elementary spends $21,163 per student—51% more than Dublin Elementary's $13,975—yet achieves the lowest test scores. Chronic absenteeism and poverty levels perfectly predict performance ordering across all three schools, suggesting these factors outweigh funding. Additionally, all three schools show a concerning drop in 5th grade math proficiency, and Social Studies is a universal weakness, with even the top school only reaching 43.4% proficiency. For parents, Dublin Elementary currently offers the strongest academic environment, while Oxbow Elementary School shows promising momentum worth watching.
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