Schools in Zip Code 48873

Zip code 48873 is home to a single elementary school, PewamoWestphalia Elementary School, serving grades PK-5 with 249 students in a relatively affluent, rural community where only 28.51% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

This school is a standout performer within an elite district. It is part of Pewamo-Westphalia Community Schools, which holds a 5-star rating and ranks in the top 10% of all Michigan districts (63rd out of 625). Academically, the school consistently outperforms state averages, with particularly strong results in math and social studies. For example, 5th grade math proficiency is 51.9% versus the state's 32.2%, and 5th grade social studies proficiency is 44.4% versus the state's 27.5%—a nearly 17-point advantage. Third grade also excels, with ELA proficiency at 56.1% (state: 38.2%) and math at 56.1% (state: 42.9%). The school also boasts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 11.5%, less than half the state average of 27.9%, which supports a strong learning environment. With a favorable 15:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $14,741, the school is well-resourced to support individualized instruction.

However, there are areas of concern. The most notable is a dramatic 29.7-point drop in 4th grade math proficiency, falling from 77.8% in 2024-2025 to 48.1% in 2025-2026. Additionally, 4th grade ELA dipped slightly below the state average (40.7% vs. 41.3%), suggesting a possible "4th grade slump." The school's overall state percentile ranking also slipped from the 79th percentile in 2024-2025 to the 76th percentile in 2025-2026, after improving to the 85th percentile in 2023-2024. While the school remains a high-achieving institution with a strong foundation, these recent declines in 4th grade performance and overall ranking suggest that families and administrators should monitor emerging trends closely in the coming years.