Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 49038

Zip code 49038 is home to just one middle school, Coloma Junior High School, which serves grades 6 through 8 within the Coloma Community Schools district, enrolling 228 students in a predominantly rural lakeshore area.

For parents considering this school, the most important takeaway is that Coloma Junior High is currently performing in the bottom quarter of Michigan middle schools, with a 1-star rating and a state ranking in the 29th percentile for the 2025-2026 school year. The school has been on a downward trend, dropping from the 40th percentile two years ago. Academically, math proficiency is a major concern—only about 12% of 6th and 7th graders meet state standards, compared to roughly 32-33% statewide. Reading scores are somewhat better, especially in 8th grade, where 60.9% of students are proficient on the PSAT, just a few points behind the state average. Science and social studies scores also trail state averages, though social studies shows a notable improvement from the prior year. The school serves a high-poverty population, with nearly 77% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and it spends a relatively high $16,100 per student. However, that spending has not translated into strong results.

One of the biggest red flags is chronic absenteeism: 32.3% of students are chronically absent, well above the state average of 27.9%. This likely plays a significant role in the low test scores and the school’s declining performance. The student-teacher ratio is 17:1, which is slightly higher than typical. While the school faces clear challenges, the 8th-grade reading scores offer a small bright spot, suggesting that literacy skills are a relative strength for older students. Overall, parents should be aware that Coloma Junior High is struggling with math achievement and attendance, and despite above-average funding, the school is not meeting state benchmarks in most subjects. Families may want to ask about intervention programs for math and what steps the district is taking to reduce chronic absenteeism.