Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48855

Zip code 48855 is served by a single elementary school, Ruahmah J Hutchings Elementary, part of the Howell Public Schools district, which enrolls 416 students in grades K-5 and has a relatively low economic disadvantage rate of 16.59% free/reduced lunch eligibility.

For parents, the standout feature of this school is its consistently strong academic performance in core subjects. In the 2025-2026 school year, Ruahmah J Hutchings Elementary outperformed state averages in English Language Arts across all grade levels, with 3rd graders posting a 53.7% proficiency rate (15.5 points above the state) and 4th graders at 50.0% (8.7 points above). Math results are also solid, particularly in 4th grade where 51.3% of students are proficient versus 39.4% statewide. The school also exceeds state averages in 5th-grade science (45.1% vs. 40.0%). However, there is one glaring exception: 5th-grade Social Studies proficiency sits at just 22.5%, which is 5 points below the state average and nearly 10 points below the district's 32.3% — a dramatic 16-point drop from the prior year. This subject-specific weakness suggests a potential curriculum gap worth investigating.

Despite these academic strengths, parents should weigh two concerns. First, chronic absenteeism is notably high at 35.3%, which is 7.4 points above the state average and could be limiting even greater achievement. Second, the school's state ranking slipped from the 75th percentile (4 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 66th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026, though ELA scores remained stable or improved, indicating the drop may reflect other schools' gains rather than a decline here. With a favorable 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $17,114, the school has strong resources. It consistently outperforms its district in nearly every subject, making it a likely top choice within Howell Public Schools for families prioritizing academics, though the attendance issue and Social Studies weakness are important factors to consider.