Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 48473

Zip code 48473, serving the Swartz Creek area of Michigan, is home to five elementary schools that collectively educate roughly 1,780 students from Pre-K through 5th grade, with four schools belonging to Swartz Creek Community Schools and one, Rankin Elementary School, operating under Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools.

For parents comparing options, the most striking difference is Rankin Elementary School, which stands apart with the highest per-student spending ($17,884), the smallest class sizes (13.2:1 student-teacher ratio), and the highest economic disadvantage rate (84.39% free/reduced lunch). Despite these challenges, Rankin’s 3rd graders post exceptional scores—70.3% proficient in ELA and 75.7% in math—far exceeding district and state averages. However, this performance fades by 4th and 5th grade, where scores drop to near or below average, and its chronic absenteeism rate of 42.8% is a serious concern. Among the Swartz Creek schools, Dieck Elementary School is the strongest overall performer, leading in 4th and 5th grade ELA and math, with a science proficiency rate (42.7%) that beats the state average. Elms Road Elementary School consistently trails the pack, showing the lowest proficiency rates in most subjects and the least favorable student-teacher ratio at 20.6:1.

A few patterns stand out across the area. First, higher spending does not guarantee better results—Dieck spends the most among district schools ($13,973) and performs best, while Elms Road spends the least ($12,859) and struggles. Second, math proficiency declines sharply from 3rd to 5th grade at every school, with Elms Road dropping from 29.3% to 17.1%. Third, chronic absenteeism is widespread, affecting 21.3% to 42.8% of students across all five schools, exceeding the state average of 27.9% in three of the four Swartz Creek schools. Finally, Morrish Elementary School is the largest school (435 students), while Syring Elementary School serves the youngest students (PK-2), making it a key entry point for families with early learners.