Summary:
Zip code 48506 in Flint, Michigan, is served by three elementary schools—Kate Dowdall Elementary School, Potter School, and Thelma Buffey Elementary—spanning grades Pre-K through 6 and split between the Kearsley Community School District and the Flint School District of the City of, with all schools serving predominantly low-income families.
If you are looking for the strongest academic option, Kate Dowdall Elementary School is the clear standout. It enrolls 405 students in grades K-5 and posts 3rd-grade proficiency rates of 24.6% in ELA and 33% in Math—roughly three times higher than Potter School’s 8.8% in both subjects. Kate Dowdall also has a much healthier chronic absenteeism rate at 31.3%, close to the state average, and spends a comparatively modest $15,208 per student. In contrast, Potter School spends a staggering $25,569 per student—over $10,000 more—yet ranks in the 2nd percentile statewide and carries a 77.5% chronic absenteeism rate, meaning three out of four students are regularly missing school. This spending paradox shows that money alone does not drive results. Thelma Buffey Elementary is a specialized Pre-K through Kindergarten center with only 43 students and the best student-teacher ratio in the area at 12.2:1, making it a solid early-learning choice, though no test scores are available for comparison.
The biggest takeaway is the district divide: Kate Dowdall and Thelma Buffey belong to the more stable Kearsley Community School District, while Potter School sits in the Flint School District of the City of, which ranks near the bottom statewide. For parents, Kate Dowdall offers the best balance of academics and attendance despite high poverty (82% free/reduced lunch), while Potter faces severe challenges that funding has not yet overcome. Thelma Buffey is best viewed as a nurturing entry point for the youngest learners.
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