Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 48604

Zip code 48604 in Saginaw, MI, is served by a single middle school, Carrollton Middle School, which enrolls 344 students in grades 6-8 as part of the Carrollton Public Schools district.

For parents considering this area, Carrollton Middle School presents a challenging academic picture, with a few notable bright spots. The school serves a high-need population, with 82.56% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch, and it invests heavily in its students—spending $16,875 per pupil with a favorable 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio. However, academic proficiency lags significantly behind state averages, particularly in mathematics. In the 2025-2026 school year, only 5.9% of 6th graders and 7.8% of 7th graders were proficient in math, compared to state averages above 31%. This math deficit persists into 8th grade, where PSAT math proficiency sits at just 17.5% versus the state's 33.2%. The school's overall ranking reflects these struggles, placing it at 689th out of 890 Michigan middle schools (23rd percentile) with a 1-star rating, though projections suggest slight improvement to the 31st percentile for 2025-2026.

There are, however, relative strengths worth noting. Eighth-grade social studies is a standout subject, with 49% proficiency nearly matching the state average of 50.3%. Similarly, 8th-grade PSAT English Language Arts shows promise at 59.2% proficiency, coming within 5.6 points of the state average. The most pressing concern for parents may be the school's chronic absenteeism rate of 46.2%—nearly double the state average of 27.9%—which likely undermines academic progress despite the district's financial commitment. The stark contrast between strong social studies performance and single-digit math scores suggests the issue is not a school-wide learning deficit but rather a specific challenge in mathematics instruction. While year-over-year data shows volatility, the school's ELA instruction appears more effective than its math program, offering a glimmer of hope for students who may need additional math support.