Best High Schools in Zip Code 48915

Zip code 48915 in Lansing, Michigan, is served by a single public high school, JW Sexton High School, which is part of the Lansing Public School District and enrolls 586 students in grades 9 through 12.

For parents considering this area, the most important takeaway is that JW Sexton High School presents a complex picture of both resilience and significant academic challenge. The school ranks in the bottom 10% of Michigan high schools (723 out of 800), and proficiency rates on state tests are dramatically below state averages. For example, only 21.4% of students are proficient in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (state: 52.1%), and just 8.7% are proficient in SAT Math (state: 26.5%). Science and social studies proficiency rates are similarly low, hovering around 10-18% compared to state averages of 35-43%. This indicates that, on standardized measures, most students are not meeting grade-level academic benchmarks.

However, the school shows a notable strength in student persistence. Despite the low test scores, the graduation rate is an impressive 91.0%, which is actually higher than the state average of 84.0%, and the dropout rate is a low 3.2%. This suggests the school has effective support systems to keep students on track to earn a diploma. The school also invests heavily in its students, spending $24,562 per pupil, a figure well above typical levels, likely reflecting efforts to address the needs of a student body where 90.27% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The most pressing concern for any parent is the chronic absenteeism rate of 63.2%—more than double the state average of 27.9%. This means nearly two-thirds of students are missing substantial school days, which is almost certainly the primary driver of the low academic proficiency. In short, JW Sexton High School appears to successfully graduate its students, but the combination of high absenteeism and low test scores suggests that many graduates may leave without the academic skills needed for college or career readiness, making it essential for parents to seek additional academic enrichment and ensure consistent attendance.