Summary:
Zip code 48770 is home to just one high school, Whittemore-Prescott Jr/Sr High School, a small rural school serving grades 7 through 12 with 260 students in the Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools district.
For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that this school faces significant challenges, but there are a few signs of progress. Academically, proficiency rates are well below state averages in nearly every subject and grade level. For example, only 9.09% of 7th graders are proficient in ELA compared to 38.4% statewide, and 9th grade PSAT math proficiency sits at just 7.32% versus 33.5% statewide. The school also struggles with a 75% graduation rate (state: 84%), a 9% dropout rate, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 39%—nearly 11 points above the state average. With 73.46% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, poverty is a major factor. The district spends a relatively high $16,474 per student, yet outcomes remain in the bottom quintile of Michigan schools, suggesting that small enrollment and rural fixed costs may limit the impact of that spending.
On a more positive note, there are some bright spots. Seventh grade math proficiency more than doubled from 6.52% to 15.6% in one year, and 8th grade social studies jumped from 7.69% to 25.6%. The school’s state ranking has also improved from the 10th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 18th-19th percentile in recent years, indicating incremental progress relative to other schools. However, with only about 43 students per grade, year-to-year swings can be dramatic and may not reflect true trends. The 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio is moderate, but combined with high absenteeism and deep poverty, the school faces an uphill battle. Parents should be aware that meaningful improvement will likely require community-wide efforts beyond the classroom, and they may want to explore supplemental academic support at home.
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