Summary:
Zip code 49261 is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12 within the Napoleon Community Schools district in Michigan, offering a stark contrast in academic outcomes and student demographics.
For parents exploring this area, the standout choice is clearly Napoleon High School, which ranks in the 68th percentile statewide and has shown steady improvement over three years. This school graduates 94.2% of its students—far exceeding the state average of 84%—and keeps its dropout rate at just 1.4%. Academically, Napoleon outperforms district and state averages in English Language Arts across all grade levels, with 69% of 9th graders and 65.9% of 10th graders proficient on PSAT ELA. However, math remains a weak spot, with only 20.3% of 11th graders proficient on SAT Math, below the state's 26.5%. By contrast, Ackerson High School, a much smaller alternative school, faces severe challenges: its graduation rate is just 24.0%, chronic absenteeism affects 84% of students, and its state ranking sits in the 32nd percentile. Ackerson also serves a population with far higher economic disadvantage (73.8% free/reduced lunch) compared to Napoleon (31.0%).
The most striking insight is the dramatic disparity within the same district—a 70-point graduation rate gap between the two schools. District averages mask this reality, as Napoleon's success hides Ackerson's crisis. Notably, Ackerson spends less per student ($13,357) than Napoleon ($16,169), despite serving students with greater needs, raising equity concerns. For parents, this zip code offers two very different educational environments: one solid, improving comprehensive school and one alternative school struggling with attendance and outcomes. If considering Ackerson, it's critical to understand the high absenteeism and low graduation rates. For most families, Napoleon High School provides the stronger academic foundation, though math support may be needed.
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