Summary:
Schools in zip code 48529, serving the Burton, MI area, include five schools spanning elementary through high school grades, with the majority operating under Bendle Public Schools and one under Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, all facing significant socioeconomic challenges as indicated by very high free/reduced lunch eligibility rates.
For parents comparing options, West Bendle Elementary School stands out as the academic leader within the Bendle district, showing a slow but steady improvement in state ranking and posting the strongest test scores among its peers—particularly in 3rd-grade math and ELA. In contrast, Gladys Dillon Elementary School (Carman-Ainsworth) has a notably lower chronic absenteeism rate at 30.4%, far better than the other schools in the zip code and closest to the state average, suggesting stronger student engagement despite its lower test scores. The most concerning picture emerges at Bendle High School, which has the highest dropout rate (9.8%), a chronic absenteeism rate above 53%, and a state ranking that has plummeted from the 30th to the 13th percentile in just two years.
A critical finding is the dramatic academic decline when students transition to Bendle Middle School—7th-grade math proficiency sits at just 5.9% compared to the state's 33.3%, despite elementary scores being relatively higher. Additionally, spending does not correlate with outcomes: Gladys Dillon spends the most per student ($20,471) yet achieves among the lowest scores, while South Bendle Elementary School spends the least ($16,103). Chronic absenteeism is a systemic issue, with middle and high school rates nearly double the state average. Overall, these schools face substantial hurdles tied to high poverty levels, and parents should weigh academic trends, attendance patterns, and school climate carefully when making decisions.
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