Summary:
Schools in zip code 49236 serve approximately 1,238 students across five schools in the Clinton Community Schools district, covering Pre-K through 12th grade in a small-town Michigan setting. This is a strong, above-average district rated 4 stars, ranking in the 77th percentile statewide, with its greatest successes at the secondary level.
The district's standout is Clinton High School, which posts a remarkable 98.7% graduation rate (vs. 84% statewide) and strong SAT scores, with 64.9% of 11th graders proficient in reading and writing. Clinton Middle School is also a consistent 4-star performer, excelling in 8th-grade social studies where 76.9% of students are proficient—a 26.6-point advantage over the state. However, Clinton Elementary School, the largest school with 569 students, is the district's weak spot, showing a concerning drop in math proficiency from 3rd grade (38.8%) to 5th grade (25.2%). The tiny Clinton Virtual JrSr High School serves just 8 students with a perfect graduation rate but costs $16,198 per student—the highest in the district—while DPP School of Early Learning has an unusually high 28.3:1 student-teacher ratio for a Pre-K program.
District-wide, science and social studies are clear strengths at every grade level, but ELA and math proficiency lag state averages in elementary grades. One paradox: Clinton High School has a 31.7% chronic absenteeism rate—higher than the state average—yet still achieves top academic outcomes, suggesting absences may be tied to college visits or internships. Free/reduced lunch rates are consistent (20.8%–30.2%), indicating a relatively homogeneous socioeconomic population. For parents, this district offers excellent secondary education with a caring, small-school feel, but elementary math intervention and addressing high school attendance would strengthen an already solid system.
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