Summary:
Zip code 48437, encompassing the community of Genesee, MI, is served by the Genesee School District, which includes just two schools: Genesee High School (grades 6-12) and Haas Elementary School (grades PK-5), with a combined enrollment of 693 students.
For parents exploring this area, the most pressing concern is a district-wide pattern of academic struggle. Genesee High School holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 40th percentile statewide, while Haas Elementary School holds a 1-star rating and sits in the 19th percentile. Proficiency rates lag state averages in nearly every subject and grade. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency at Haas is just 7.27% versus 32.2% statewide, and 8th-grade social studies at the high school is 14.8% compared to 50.3% statewide. A notable exception is 11th-grade SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, where Genesee High students (53.2%) slightly outperform the state average (52.1%). The high school also has a better student-teacher ratio (21.3:1) than the elementary school (18.3:1), though both are typical.
The biggest red flag is chronic absenteeism, affecting nearly 40% of students at both schools—far above the 27.9% state average. This likely fuels the low test scores and contributes to a 13.1% dropout rate at the high school, nearly double the state's 7.1%. The 4-year graduation rate is 80.3%, below the state's 84.0%. With over 70% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the district faces significant socioeconomic hurdles. While per-pupil spending is slightly above average at ~$14,300, the data suggests that improving attendance and addressing poverty-related barriers are critical first steps. Year-over-year test scores are also volatile, possibly due to small class sizes, making it difficult to gauge consistent progress. Overall, while there are isolated strengths in upper-level reading, the systemic challenges here require comprehensive intervention.
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