Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 48653

Zip code 48653 is home to just one elementary school, Roscommon Elementary School, which serves grades PK through 4th grade within the Roscommon Area Public Schools district, enrolling 276 students in a rural Michigan community.

For parents considering this school, the most important takeaway is a mix of notable strengths and significant concerns. Roscommon Elementary shows a clear strength in mathematics, particularly in the most recent school year (2025-2026), where 4th-grade math proficiency (44.3%) exceeded the state average (39.4%). However, the school struggles consistently with English Language Arts (ELA), where proficiency rates lag well behind state averages—only 29.5% of 4th graders were proficient in ELA compared to 41.3% statewide. The school also demonstrates extreme volatility in 3rd-grade math scores, swinging from a standout 51.8% proficiency in 2024-2025 (well above the state's 42.7%) down to 34.9% in 2025-2026 (below the state's 42.9%). This instability makes it difficult to predict future performance. The school's state ranking reflects these mixed results, sitting in the lower half (42nd percentile) after peaking at the 46th percentile the prior year.

Perhaps the most puzzling finding is the disconnect between resources and outcomes. Roscommon Elementary spends an exceptionally high $19,999 per student and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1, yet academic results remain below average overall. With 55% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a majority low-income population. Chronic absenteeism is a major red flag—26.8% of students are chronically absent, nearly matching the state average of 27.9%. This likely undermines the potential benefits of high spending and small class sizes, especially in ELA where consistent skill-building is critical. Parents should investigate how the school addresses absenteeism and literacy instruction, as these appear to be the biggest barriers to student success despite substantial financial investment.