Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48519

Schools in zip code 48519 (Burton, MI) serve approximately 1,623 students across five schools—two elementary, two high schools, and one alternative center—within a community where 90-96% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a rate nearly double the national average.

For parents exploring options in this area, Burton Glen Charter Academy stands out as the strongest performer and the only school with a 2-star rating. It serves grades K-8 with the largest enrollment (709 students) and shows genuine improvement momentum—its state ranking climbed from the 31st to 39th percentile, with notable gains in 5th grade ELA (+16.8 points) and 5th grade Science (+21.3 points). In contrast, Madison Academy High School is the most concerning, dropping to a 0-star rating and ranking in the bottom 9th percentile statewide, with math proficiency at just 4.94-5.6% for 9th and 10th graders. Atherton Junior Senior High School posts a commendable 92.9% graduation rate but struggles academically, with only 7.69% of 7th graders proficient in math. Atherton Elementary School spends the most per student ($19,138) yet ranks in the 29th percentile, while Atherton Vern Van Y Educational Center, an alternative school serving just 48 students, has the lowest chronic absenteeism (18.1%, below the state average) but a 38.8% graduation rate.

The most urgent issue across this area is a secondary-level math crisis—proficiency rates in the single digits at both high schools will severely limit college and career options. Chronic absenteeism is also elevated (33-48% versus the 27.9% state average), though Atherton Community Schools and the charter operators face similar socioeconomic challenges. Notably, spending does not correlate with outcomes: Burton Glen Charter Academy spends the least among reporting schools ($13,806) yet achieves the best results, while Madison Academy's impressive 6.3:1 student-teacher ratio fails to translate into academic success. For families, Burton Glen offers the most promising trajectory, but all schools in this zip code face systemic hurdles that require community-wide attention.