Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 48462

Zip code 48462, serving the Ortonville, Michigan area, is home to two public elementary schools—Harvey Swanson Elementary School and Oakwood Elementary School—both part of the Brandon School District, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 63rd percentile statewide. These schools serve grades PK through 5 and have a combined enrollment of 919 students.

Oakwood Elementary School is the clear standout in this area, consistently outperforming its local counterpart across nearly every academic metric. For the 2025-2026 school year, Oakwood ranked in the 60th percentile statewide (593 out of 1492 schools) and has maintained a 3-star rating for three consecutive years, while Harvey Swanson Elementary School ranked in the 45th percentile (818 out of 1492) with a 2-star rating. The gap is most dramatic in mathematics—for example, Oakwood's 5th-grade math proficiency rate (48.4%) is nearly double Harvey Swanson's (24.7%). Oakwood also excels in 4th-grade ELA (49.2% vs. 41.9%) and 4th-grade math (52.5% vs. 35.5%). Chronic absenteeism is a critical differentiator: Harvey Swanson's rate (27.8%) is nearly double Oakwood's (16.6%) and sits right at the state average, likely contributing to its lower performance. Oakwood also has a lower free/reduced lunch rate (34.5% vs. 43.8%) and slightly higher per-student spending ($16,265 vs. $15,183), though the spending difference is modest.

Both schools show a relative weakness in 5th-grade science, falling below the state average of 40% (Oakwood at 35.9%, Harvey Swanson at 38.8%). Additionally, year-over-year data reveals significant volatility in proficiency rates, particularly at Harvey Swanson—for instance, 3rd-grade math proficiency dropped from 36.6% in 2024-2025 to 27.7% in 2025-2026. This volatility underscores the importance of examining multi-year trends rather than a single year's results. For parents, Oakwood offers stronger and more consistent academic outcomes, better attendance, and a higher state ranking, making it the preferred choice within this district, though both schools share similar challenges in science and face the broader context of a mid-tier district.