Schools in Zip Code 49111

Zip code 49111 in Eau Claire, Michigan, is served by four schools within the Eau Claire Public Schools district, enrolling roughly 587 students across elementary through high school grades in a predominantly low-income area.

For parents, the standout traditional option is Eau Claire High School, which posts a strong 91.1% graduation rate and a low 2.9% dropout rate—both better than state averages—despite the district’s overall 1-star rating. It also showed a remarkable spike in 11th-grade science proficiency (50% vs. 34.9% statewide) in 2024-2025, though scores dropped sharply the following year. In contrast, WAY Eau Claire, a small alternative high school with just 35 students and a 3:1 student-teacher ratio, has a concerning 37.5% graduation rate, though its 0% dropout rate suggests students stay enrolled. At the lower grades, Lybrook Elementary School and Eau Claire Middle School both struggle significantly, with elementary math proficiency ranging from 12-25% (state: 32-43%) and middle school math falling to as low as 6.8% in 7th grade. Across all schools, free/reduced lunch eligibility is 85-91%, and chronic absenteeism (20-25%) is actually below the state average of 27.9%, meaning attendance is not the primary barrier.

Key takeaways for families: academic performance is weakest in elementary and middle school math, creating a foundation gap that persists into high school, where only 25.7% of 11th graders are college-ready in reading and under 10% are on track in math. Spending varies widely—Lybrook Elementary spends the most at $18,284 per student yet shows no academic advantage over the middle school ($14,119) or high school ($15,864). Meanwhile, WAY Eau Claire spends the least ($9,787) despite its intensive staffing. Year-to-year proficiency swings are dramatic, likely due to small class sizes, so parents should view single-year scores cautiously. The district’s high graduation rate at the traditional high school, despite deep poverty, is a notable success, but the college readiness gap suggests many graduates may need remediation before post-secondary work.