Summary:
Zip code 48732, covering the Essexville, Michigan area, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: Garber High School and BayArenac Community High School, which represent two very different educational paths for local families.
Garber High School, part of Essexville-Hampton Public Schools, is the standout traditional option. With 489 students, it ranks in the top third of Michigan high schools (222nd out of 800) and earns a 4-star rating. Its graduation rate is a strong 91.6%, far above the state average of 84%, and its dropout rate is a mere 0.8%. Garber also excels in reading, writing, and science, with 11th-grade SAT reading/writing proficiency at 59.8% and science at 45.3%, both beating state averages. However, math is a clear weak spot—only 19.6% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT math, well below the state’s 26.5%. The school benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 11.6 and spends about $13,126 per student.
In stark contrast, BayArenac Community High School, operating under the Bay-Arenac Community High School district, serves a much higher-needs population of 180 students. Its graduation rate is just 44.4%, and its dropout rate is a troubling 20.8%—nearly three times the state average. Chronic absenteeism affects 39.8% of students, and 86% qualify for free/reduced lunch. Despite these challenges, the school spends slightly less per student ($12,834) and has a much higher student-teacher ratio (18.8), meaning fewer resources for a population that likely needs more support. Test scores are low, with only 30% proficiency in science, and data gaps exist for math. For parents, the choice is clear: Garber offers a rigorous, supportive traditional path, while BayArenac is an alternative program for students who may have struggled elsewhere, though its outcomes suggest significant obstacles remain.
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