Summary:
Zip code 48529 in Burton, MI is home to three elementary schools—South Bendle Elementary School, Gladys Dillon Elementary School, and West Bendle Elementary School—serving grades PK-5 across two districts, with all schools facing high poverty levels (87-92% free/reduced lunch) and chronic absenteeism rates well above the state average.
Families comparing schools will find notable differences. Gladys Dillon Elementary School (part of Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools) stands out as the highest-rated option with a 2-star rating, the lowest chronic absenteeism (30.4%), and the best student-teacher ratio (12.6:1). It also spends the most per student at $20,471. However, its 3rd-grade proficiency is surprisingly low (ELA 17.3%, Math 21.6%). In contrast, West Bendle Elementary School (in Bendle Public Schools) posts much stronger 3rd-grade scores (ELA 31.6%, Math 39.2%) despite a 1-star rating and higher absenteeism (33.7%). South Bendle Elementary School serves the youngest students (PK-2) and has the most severe attendance problem at 43.9% chronically absent, though it spends the least ($16,103 per student).
The most troubling trend emerges at West Bendle, where math proficiency collapses from 39.2% in 3rd grade to 19.7% in 4th and just 18.6% in 5th grade, with social studies at only 15.3%. This suggests cumulative learning gaps or increasing difficulty as students advance. Meanwhile, Gladys Dillon shows volatile year-over-year results, with ELA dropping from 29.2% to 17.3% between cohorts. The spending-achievement paradox is clear: Gladys Dillon outspends West Bendle by nearly $1,400 per student yet achieves lower 3rd-grade scores. For parents, this means higher funding and better ratios don't guarantee better outcomes—and the district divide between Bendle Public Schools (14th percentile ranking) and Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools (30th percentile) adds another layer of complexity when choosing where to enroll.
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