Best High Schools in Zip Code 48626

Zip code 48626 in Hemlock, MI, is home to two high schools within the Hemlock Public School District: a traditional public high school serving grades 9-12 and a virtual school serving grades 7-12, together offering families both in-person and online learning options in a small, rural community.

Hemlock High School is the clear standout, ranking in the 83rd percentile statewide (138th out of 800) with a 4-star rating. It posts a 92.6% graduation rate and an exceptional 0.0% dropout rate, far better than the state averages of 84% and 7.1%, respectively. Academically, it beats state proficiency averages in every subject—67.8% proficient in SAT Reading/Writing versus 52.1% statewide, 41.4% in SAT Math versus 26.5%, and 49.4% in Science versus 35.2%. The school also benefits from strong resources: it spends $12,960 per student and maintains a 20.4:1 student-teacher ratio. In contrast, Hemlock Virtual struggles significantly, ranking in the 32nd percentile (545th out of 800) with a 2-star rating. Its graduation rate is 81.8%, its dropout rate is 9.0%, and its proficiency rates lag far behind—35.0% in SAT Reading/Writing and 19.05% in Science, with no SAT Math score reported. The virtual school also serves a higher-need population (48.15% free/reduced lunch versus 19.94% at the traditional school) but receives only $6,951 per student and has a challenging 37.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

For parents, the choice is stark. Hemlock High School offers a proven, well-supported path to graduation and college readiness, with nearly double the per-student funding and half the class sizes of its virtual counterpart. Hemlock Virtual, while providing flexibility, shows clear signs of underperformance that likely stem from insufficient staffing and resources for students who may need more support, not less. Notably, Hemlock High School’s state ranking has slipped from the 91st percentile in 2023-2024 to the 83rd percentile in the last two years—a trend worth watching. Still, its 0.0% dropout rate and consistent above-average test scores make it the reliable choice in this district, while families considering virtual learning should weigh the significant achievement gap and resource disparities carefully.