Best Public Schools in Zip Code 49021

Bellevue, Michigan (zip code 49021) is served by the small, two-school Bellevue Community Schools district, which educates roughly 507 students across elementary through high school grades in a community where a significant portion of families face economic challenges.

For parents comparing the two schools, Bellevue JrSr High School (grades 7-12) is the stronger academic performer, particularly in science where 11th graders exceed the state average (38.1% vs. 35.2% proficiency). The high school also boasts an exceptionally low dropout rate of just 1.7% compared to the 7.1% state average, and its 82.4% graduation rate nearly matches the state's 84.0%. However, the school has slipped in state rankings from the 56th to 42nd percentile, with significant gaps in SAT math (16.3% vs. 26.5% state) and reading/writing (34.9% vs. 52.1% state). In contrast, Bellevue Elementary School (grades PK-6) is showing remarkable momentum, jumping from the 21st to 39th percentile in state rankings over one year. The elementary school saw dramatic proficiency gains in nearly every subject, including 3rd grade math surging from 25.8% to 45.2% and 6th grade English language arts leaping from 13.9% to 41.7%.

Both schools share notable strengths and challenges. Chronic absenteeism runs below the state average at both campuses (24.5% at the high school, 25.9% at the elementary), though roughly one in four students still misses significant school time. A concerning pattern emerges at 5th grade, where proficiency drops sharply in both math (13.3%) and ELA (20%) compared to earlier grades, suggesting a transition issue. The elementary school serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (58% free/reduced lunch) than the high school (44.1%), yet it is the one improving fastest. With per-pupil spending around $16,500-$17,000 and student-teacher ratios near 20:1 at both schools, the district appears to be allocating resources effectively at the elementary level, and parents may want to watch whether those successful strategies migrate to the secondary grades.