Schools in Zip Code 48603

Zip code 48603 in Saginaw, Michigan, is served by 6 schools spanning elementary through high school, including alternative education programs, across two districts: Saginaw Township Community Schools and Saginaw Independent School District (Isd).

For parents, the standout traditional option is Heritage High School, the largest school with 1,313 students. It leads the area academically with a 90.9% graduation rate (well above the 84% state average), a low 2.8% dropout rate, and SAT reading/writing scores that match the state average. Its social studies proficiency (45.4%) also exceeds state norms. In contrast, Mackinaw High School faces severe challenges—93.9% chronic absenteeism and a 35.4% graduation rate—despite spending the most per student ($16,256). Among elementary schools, Weiss Elementary School shows steady improvement, jumping 220 spots in state rankings over two years, though it still trails state averages in math and science. Sherwood Elementary School has a higher free/reduced lunch rate (64%) and slightly above-average chronic absenteeism. The two alternative schools—Saginaw Independent School District (Isd) Transitions Center and Saginaw County Juvenile Center—serve students in crisis with very low student-teacher ratios (9.6:1 and 1.1:1 respectively), but outcomes remain difficult, with the Juvenile Center reporting a 0% graduation rate.

Key takeaways: Heritage High proves that strong results are achievable even with 38% of students on free/reduced lunch, while Mackinaw’s data shows that funding alone cannot overcome attendance crises. The district disparity is stark—Saginaw Independent School District (Isd) ranks in the 97th percentile (5 stars) versus the 48th percentile (2 stars) for Saginaw Township Community Schools—though this reflects the ISD’s specialized role. Overall, families in 48603 will find a strong high school option at Heritage, improving elementary schools, and specialized support for at-risk students, but should be aware of significant equity gaps, particularly at Mackinaw High.