Summary:
Zip code 48623 in Freeland, Michigan, is served by four schools—two elementary, one combined middle/high school, and one correctional facility—that together enroll nearly 2,000 students, with the vast majority attending the highly-rated Freeland Community School District.
For families, the standout option is Freeland Middle SchoolHigh School, which serves grades 7-12 and boasts a 97.7% graduation rate versus the state’s 84.0%, a dropout rate of just 1.5%, and a district ranked #53 out of 625 in Michigan (92nd percentile, 5 stars). Its academic performance consistently beats state averages by 10-25 points in English and math through 10th grade, though 11th-grade SAT math proficiency (35.5%) shows a narrower edge (+9 points over state). Freeland Elementary School (grades 2-6) also excels, with chronic absenteeism at just 7.9%—far below the state’s 27.9%—and strong proficiency rates, such as 68.8% in 3rd-grade math. Freeland Learning Center (PK-1st) provides a solid early foundation with the smallest class sizes (14.5:1) and highest per-student spending ($13,851). In contrast, Saginaw Correctional Facility serves just 11 incarcerated students under the Michigan Department of Corrections and has no comparable academic rankings.
Key takeaways for parents: the district’s main challenge is a math proficiency slide in upper grades—3rd graders outperform state by +25.9 points, but by 11th grade that gap shrinks to +9.0. Chronic absenteeism also spikes at the secondary level (21.3% at Middle/High) versus under 8% in the elementary schools. Year-over-year scores show some volatility, including a 13.9-point drop in 5th-grade ELA and a 16.3-point drop in 11th-grade science, though both remain near or above state averages. With relatively low free/reduced lunch rates (19-25%) and efficient spending ($11,698-$13,851 per student), this district delivers excellent outcomes, making it a top choice for families seeking strong academics from early childhood through high school.
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