Schools in Zip Code 49240

Schools in zip code 49240 serve the Grass Lake community in Michigan, encompassing three schools within the Grass Lake Community Schools district that collectively educate roughly 1,334 students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The district holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 73rd percentile statewide, with each campus offering distinct strengths that families should consider when evaluating their options.

Grass Lake Middle School stands out as the district's academic leader, earning 4-star ratings in consecutive years and ranking in the 72nd-75th percentile statewide. Its 8th-grade English Language Arts proficiency reaches 74.7%, nearly 10 points above the state average, and it also posts strong 6th-grade ELA scores (47.9% vs. 37.5% state). Interestingly, this school has the highest poverty rate (33.1% free/reduced lunch) yet still outperforms its peers, suggesting effective support for all students. George Long Elementary School shows steady improvement, climbing to the 68th percentile, with exceptional 5th-grade science scores (63.2% proficiency vs. 40% state) and solid math performance (44.4% vs. 32.2% state). Grass Lake High School excels at keeping students on track, boasting a 90.5% graduation rate and just 1.1% dropout rate—both far better than state averages—though its test scores hover near or below state norms, including SAT math at 25% proficiency.

Families should note that science is a consistent district strength in early grades but fades by high school, while math remains a persistent challenge across all levels. Chronic absenteeism rises from 16.6% at the elementary school to 24.3% at the middle school, even as the middle school achieves its strong results. The high school's larger class sizes (19.7 student-teacher ratio) and a notable 13.3-point drop in 11th-grade social studies proficiency warrant attention. Overall, this district offers a strong elementary foundation, an exceptional middle school experience, and a high school that prioritizes graduation success, though standardized test performance at the secondary level may not fully reflect the supportive environment these schools provide.