Summary:
Middle Schools in zip code 49111 consist of a single school, Eau Claire Middle School, serving grades 6-8 within the Eau Claire Public Schools district, a small, rural area with a student body of 139 that is predominantly economically disadvantaged.
For parents considering this area, Eau Claire Middle School is the only option, and it presents a mixed picture. The school ranks in the bottom 20% of Michigan middle schools, currently sitting at the 17th percentile. Academic proficiency is a significant concern, with math scores being critically low—only 6.8% of 7th graders were proficient in 2024-2025, though this improved to 18.4% the following year. English Language Arts scores are also low, ranging from 13.2% to 15.8% proficiency, which is less than half the state average. Science and social studies proficiency, while improving, also lag far behind state averages. The school does spend a substantial $14,119 per student, which is notable, but this high funding has not yet translated into strong test outcomes.
There are some encouraging signs. Chronic absenteeism is a bright spot at 20.4%, which is significantly better than the state average of 27.9%, meaning students are consistently showing up to class. Furthermore, the 2025-2026 data shows positive momentum, with improvements in 7th-grade math, 8th-grade science, and a particularly strong jump in 8th-grade social studies from 17.5% to 26.7% proficiency. Given the small enrollment of just 139 students, year-to-year swings can be dramatic, but the upward trend in several subjects suggests that recent efforts may be starting to take hold. Parents should be aware that while the school faces deep challenges tied to high economic disadvantage (91.37% free/reduced lunch), its strong attendance and recent academic gains offer a foundation for potential improvement.
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