Best High Schools in Zip Code 49111

Zip code 49111 in Eau Claire, Michigan, is served by two high schools within the Eau Claire Public Schools district, both covering grades 9-12 and facing significant economic challenges, with over 85% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Eau Claire High School is the larger, traditional option with 180 students, and it presents a mixed picture. Its graduation rate is a strong 91.1%, well above the state average, and its dropout rate is low at 2.9%. However, its academic performance is volatile. While 11th graders showed strong proficiency in Science (50%) and Social Studies (43.2%) in the 2024-2025 school year, projected scores for the following year plummet to 20% and 22.9%, respectively—roughly half the state average. This dramatic decline, along with a projected state ranking drop from the 66th to the 21st percentile, is a major concern. In contrast, WAY Eau Claire is a much smaller alternative school with only 35 students. It offers an exceptionally low 3:1 student-teacher ratio, but its graduation rate is just 37.5%, less than half the district average, despite reporting a 0.0% dropout rate.

Comparing the two, Eau Claire High School is the clear choice for students seeking a traditional path to a diploma, given its high graduation rate and lower dropout rate. However, its test scores are a red flag for academic preparedness. WAY Eau Claire, with its intensive support, may serve a specific at-risk population, but its very low graduation rate suggests it struggles to move students to completion. The district spends significantly more per student at the main high school ($15,864) than at the alternative school ($9,787). Ultimately, parents should weigh the strong graduation outcomes at Eau Claire High School against its concerning and unstable test proficiency, while recognizing that WAY Eau Claire offers a highly individualized environment but with poor graduation outcomes.