Summary:
Zip code 49031, serving the Cassopolis, Michigan area, is home to five schools spanning pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, enrolling roughly 917 students across the Cassopolis Public Schools district and the Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District.
For parents, the standout is Cassopolis High School, which posts a remarkable 93.9% graduation rate—well above the state average of 84%—and even exceeds state proficiency in social studies. However, this success masks a severe math crisis: only 6.6% of 11th graders are proficient in SAT math, compared to 26.5% statewide. The math struggles begin early at Sam Adams Elementary School, where 4th and 5th grade math proficiency sits at just 11.5% and 12.9%, respectively, and worsen by middle school. Cassopolis Middle School reports only 6.67% of 7th graders proficient in math. In contrast, reading and writing scores are comparatively stronger, with 8th grade PSAT ELA at 54.5% and 5th grade science at Sam Adams exceeding the state average. The two alternative schools—Brookside Learning Center and Cassopolis Alternative Educational—serve the highest-need students, with Brookside offering an intensive 5.3:1 student-teacher ratio and Cassopolis Alternative reporting an 81.3% free/reduced lunch rate.
Chronic absenteeism is a systemic challenge, affecting 23.2% of elementary students, 35.7% of middle schoolers, and 42.5% at Brookside. Economic hardship is widespread, with 58.7% to 81.3% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. Encouragingly, Sam Adams Elementary is improving, jumping from the 18th to 32nd percentile in state rankings, and its 5th grade science proficiency (45.7%) tops the state average. The district’s 1-star rating reflects these struggles, but the high school’s graduation success and pockets of academic strength offer hope. Parents should prioritize understanding the math gap and attendance challenges when evaluating these schools.
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