Summary:
Zip code 48847, encompassing the village of Ithaca, Michigan, is served by the three schools of the Ithaca Public Schools district, which together educate 971 students across grades PK-12. The district itself is rated 4 out of 5 stars, ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide.
Ithaca High School is the clear standout, serving grades 7-12 and posting exceptional results. It boasts a near-perfect 96.9% graduation rate, a 0.0% dropout rate, and consistently ranks in the 84th-86th percentile statewide. Its 11th graders far exceed state averages in Science (52.2% vs. 35.2%), Social Studies (73.1% vs. 43.2%), and SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (73.1% vs. 52.1%). In contrast, North Elementary School (grades 3-6) shows mixed results, with 5th-grade ELA and 3rd-grade Math near state averages, but 4th-grade Math proficiency (23.2%) well below the state's 39.4%. South Elementary School (grades PK-2) has no test score data, but it has the district's highest chronic absenteeism rate at 29.3%, worse than the state average.
A key finding is the inverse relationship between spending and performance. South Elementary spends the most per student ($15,228) and has the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.1), yet it struggles with attendance. Conversely, Ithaca High School spends the least ($13,952) with the highest ratio (18.6) but achieves the best outcomes. Both elementary schools have similar economic disadvantage rates (~50%), yet South's absenteeism is significantly higher than North's (17.5%), suggesting a challenge for the youngest learners. Another potential concern is a "middle school gap": 7th-grade proficiency in ELA (34.4%) and Math (28%) at the high school falls below state averages, possibly indicating a transition issue. However, the district shows a clear strength in Science and Social Studies from 8th grade through 11th, pointing to effective instruction in those subjects.
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