Schools in Zip Code 48423

Zip code 48423, encompassing Davison, Michigan, is served by the nine public schools of the Davison Community Schools district, which includes five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. For parents, the standout performer is Hill Elementary School, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 90th percentile of Michigan elementary schools. Its academic scores are dramatically higher than district and state averages—for example, 73.5% of 3rd graders are proficient in math compared to the district's 49.1%—and its chronic absenteeism rate of 8.2% is exceptionally low. At the secondary level, Davison High School also earns 4 stars with a 96.8% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 84.0%, though its SAT math proficiency (27%) is only slightly above the state average.

Across the district, a clear pattern emerges: schools with lower rates of students receiving free/reduced lunch tend to perform better academically. Hill Elementary has the lowest rate among ranked elementary schools (48.28%) and the highest test scores, while Siple Elementary School (68.24% free/reduced lunch) and Davison Alternative Education (75.71%) show the lowest performance in their categories. Mathematics is a consistent district-wide weakness, with proficiency scores hovering near state averages from 3rd grade through 11th grade, even as English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies scores generally exceed state averages. Chronic absenteeism is also a concern at Thomson Elementary School (PK-K), where the rate is 24.1%, higher than the district average of 21.4%.

Perhaps the most striking finding is the contrast between Davison High School and Davison Alternative Education. The alternative school, with a 0-star rating and a 62.7% graduation rate, spends the most per student ($19,068) yet faces the greatest challenges, including a 55.4% chronic absenteeism rate. This highlights the high cost of supporting at-risk students. Meanwhile, Hill Elementary spends $15,748 per student—more than some lower-performing schools like Central Elementary School ($13,781)—suggesting that targeted resources, combined with strong school culture, can yield exceptional results. For parents, this data underscores the importance of looking beyond star ratings to understand each school's unique strengths and challenges.