Schools in Zip Code 49237

Zip code 49237 is served by the three public schools of the Concord Community Schools district, which together educate 617 students in grades K-12 in a rural Michigan setting. The district overall ranks in the 26th percentile statewide, indicating significant academic challenges, but a closer look reveals a complex picture with notable strengths in student retention and specific subject areas.

For parents, the standout for outcomes is Concord High School, which posts an exceptional 95.6% graduation rate and a 0.0% dropout rate, far exceeding state averages. This is particularly impressive given that only 32.4% of its 11th graders are proficient in SAT Reading/Writing. The high school also spends the most per student ($18,170) and has the lowest student-to-teacher ratio (14.6), suggesting that resources are effectively supporting student completion. In contrast, Concord Elementary School is the primary concern, with the lowest state ranking (24th percentile) and test scores consistently below state averages across all subjects, indicating foundational struggles. Concord Middle School offers a bright spot, having posted exceptional 8th-grade science proficiency of 64.4% in 2024-2025, a 23-point advantage over the state, though this dropped sharply the following year.

Key metrics reveal a district-wide weakness in mathematics, with proficiency rates roughly 20 points below state averages in most grades, and chronic absenteeism is a serious issue, affecting 32.8% of high schoolers and 28.2% of middle schoolers. Economic disadvantage is prevalent, highest at the elementary school (60.6%). The most striking takeaway is the "graduation paradox"—low test scores coexist with high graduation rates, suggesting strong support systems. Additionally, test scores show high year-to-year volatility, especially in smaller schools, meaning results can be heavily influenced by a single cohort. The data points to a feeder pattern where elementary deficits compound through the grades, making math intervention and attendance improvement critical priorities for the district.