Summary:
Zip code 48532 in Flint, Michigan is served by two elementary schools—Dye Elementary School and Randels Elementary School—both part of the Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools district, which together enroll 870 students in grades K-5 and PK-5.
Both schools serve predominantly low-income families, with free/reduced lunch rates of 92.3% at Dye and 84.9% at Randels, and both rank in the bottom quartile of Michigan elementary schools—Dye at 1,094 and Randels at 1,111 out of 1,492. Despite Dye having higher poverty and a chronic absenteeism rate of 40.4% (compared to Randels' 30.7% and the state's 27.9%), Dye actually ranks slightly better than Randels, suggesting it may be achieving more with a more disadvantaged population. Dye also has a better student-teacher ratio (15.6:1 vs. 16.4:1) and spends less per student ($16,826 vs. $17,344), yet still outperforms Randels overall—raising questions about how Randels allocates its higher funding.
Academically, both schools struggle significantly, scoring below state proficiency in all 16 tested subject/grade combinations. The most critical weaknesses are 5th grade math (16.1% at Dye and 11.5% at Randels vs. 32.2% statewide) and 5th grade social studies (7.5% and 8.2% vs. 27.5% statewide). However, there are bright spots: Randels' 4th grade posted 42.9% ELA proficiency in 2024-25, exceeding the state average, and Dye showed strong year-over-year improvement in 4th and 5th grade ELA (+7.3 and +7.6 points). Dye's state ranking has also improved steadily over three years, while Randels' performance has been more volatile. Parents should note that chronic absenteeism—especially at Dye—is a major concern, and the district's overall 2-star rating reflects systemic challenges that go beyond any single school.
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