Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48801

Zip code 48801, serving the Alma, Michigan area, contains 7 schools—3 elementary, 1 middle, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative program—that collectively enroll about 2,029 students, with the majority operating under Alma Public Schools, a district ranked in the 53rd percentile statewide despite serving a population where roughly 3 in 4 students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

For parents, the standout option is Alma Senior High School, which has climbed to the 56th percentile in state rankings, boasts a 91.6% graduation rate (well above the 84% state average), and a dropout rate of just 2.2%—nearly 5 points lower than the state. Its 9th grade ELA proficiency (67.6%) also beats the state by 7 points. The middle school, Donald L Pavlik Middle School, is also improving, with 8th grade ELA at 72.5% proficiency, outpacing the state by nearly 8 points. Among elementary schools, Hillcrest Elementary School and Pine Avenue Elementary School keep chronic absenteeism below 19%, far better than the state’s 27.9% average. However, Luce Road Elementary School struggles with a 37.9% chronic absenteeism rate despite having the highest per-student spending ($21,262) and smallest class sizes among traditional schools. The alternative programs—GIRESD Center Programs and Gratiot Continuous Learning Center—serve highly at-risk students, with very low graduation rates and extreme chronic absenteeism, though GIRESD’s 2.6:1 student-teacher ratio signals intensive support.

The most consistent weakness across all grade levels is mathematics, with proficiency lagging state averages by 5-13 points in nearly every subject—for example, 7th grade math sits at 20.8% versus 33.3% statewide. There’s also a notable dip in 7th grade performance in both ELA and math, suggesting a transition challenge. On the positive side, the district shows strong secondary ELA results and a graduation rate 7.6 points above the state average, proving that high poverty doesn’t preclude success. Yet, the volatility in test scores (e.g., science proficiency jumping from 13.5% to 28.3% in one year) and the persistent math gap indicate that targeted curriculum improvements and attendance interventions—especially at Luce Road and the alternative centers—remain critical for sustained progress.