Best Public Schools in Zip Code 48875

ZIP code 48875 is served by the four schools of Portland Public Schools in Portland, Michigan, which together educate roughly 1,979 students across a complete PreK-12 pipeline: Oakwood Elementary School (PreK-2), Westwood Elementary School (3-5), Portland Middle School (6-8), and Portland High School (9-12).

The standout performer is Portland High School, which has climbed from the 41st to the 59th percentile in state rankings over two years and boasts a strong 89.5% graduation rate. Its 9th graders achieve 74% proficiency in PSAT English Language Arts, a remarkable 13.8 points above the state average, and 11th-grade science scores are 10.7 points above the state. However, the high school also has the district's only chronic absenteeism problem at 29.2%, exceeding the state average. In contrast, Westwood Elementary School is the area of concern, ranking in the 40th percentile with 3rd-grade ELA scores 12.1 points below state averages and 5th-grade social studies 13.9 points below. Portland Middle School sits in between, with a notable weakness in 7th-grade ELA (23.2% proficiency vs. 38.4% state) but strong 8th-grade PSAT ELA results from the prior year.

Mathematics is a district-wide challenge, with proficiency below state averages at nearly every grade level—from 19.5% on 11th-grade SAT Math to 21.7% on 8th-grade PSAT Math—suggesting a systemic curriculum issue. Social studies is another hidden weakness, particularly at 5th and 11th grades. The district's spending is efficient and similar across schools ($12,492 to $13,426 per student), yet outcomes vary widely, indicating resource allocation isn't the differentiator. Free/reduced lunch rates are highest at the elementary level (Oakwood at 40.17%, Westwood at 37.59%) and lowest at the middle school (20.81%). For parents, the data suggests that students who can navigate the middle school years successfully will find strong academic opportunities at the high school, particularly in ELA and science, but families should investigate supplemental support for math and social studies.