Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48653

Zip code 48653 in Roscommon, Michigan, is served by four schools—three traditional public schools within the Roscommon Area Public Schools district (elementary, middle, and high school) and one specialized alternative center under the C.O.O.R. Independent School District (Isd)—together covering grades PK through 12 in a moderate-poverty, rural community.

For parents, the standout is Roscommon Middle School, which ranks in the 71st percentile statewide (4 stars) and consistently beats state averages in 6th and 7th grade ELA and math—a sharp contrast to Roscommon Elementary School, where 3rd and 4th graders trail state proficiency by 8 to 12 points in most subjects. Roscommon High School sits in the middle: it lags in SAT reading and math but excels dramatically in 11th grade science (49.2% proficient vs. 35.2% statewide) and posts a strong 91.8% graduation rate, well above the state’s 84%. The COOR Special Educational Center is a separate, resource-intensive program for students with significant special needs—100% free/reduced lunch, a 6.8:1 student-teacher ratio, and $104,887 per-student spending—so its low test scores and high absenteeism reflect the profound challenges of its population, not a fair comparison to traditional schools.

Key takeaways: Science is a clear district strength across grades, while math is the persistent weakness—especially 8th grade PSAT math, which sits 15.6 points below the state. The district shows a “reverse slide” pattern, improving relative to state averages as students advance, likely due to effective middle school interventions. However, chronic absenteeism is a concern, particularly at the high school (31.8%) and COOR Center (43.9%), even as graduation rates remain high. Resource spending is front-loaded ($19,999 per elementary student vs. $17,179 at the high school), and year-to-year test scores swing widely due to small cohorts. Overall, families will find a cohesive district with strong retention and science programs, but math support and attendance remain areas to watch.