Summary:
Zip code 49310 in Blanchard, Michigan, is served by two schools within the Montabella Community Schools district, which together educate roughly 772 students in grades PK-12. The district itself is ranked in the 44th percentile of Michigan districts, and both schools serve a predominantly low-income population, with over 60% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
The standout story is the dramatic turnaround at Montabella JuniorSenior High, which jumped from the 17th percentile (1 star) to the 57th percentile (3 stars) in a single year. This improvement is backed by strong literacy scores—9th and 10th grade PSAT ELA results exceed state averages—and an 84.6% graduation rate that tops the state average. However, the school struggles significantly with math, particularly at the 8th grade level where only 11.3% of students are proficient compared to 33.2% statewide. In contrast, Montabella Elementary remains more consistent but underperforms, sitting at the 33rd percentile. The most alarming issue is a severe "4th grade slump," where proficiency rates in both ELA (19.7%) and math (16.9%) fall more than 20 points below state averages, despite 3rd grade math actually exceeding the state average.
Across both schools, social studies is a consistent weakness, with proficiency rates trailing state averages by 7 to 14 points at every grade level tested. Chronic absenteeism, however, is a bright spot—both schools report rates below the state average of 27.9%, indicating strong family engagement despite high poverty levels. The district spends between $14,500 and $15,800 per student with reasonable student-teacher ratios. While the high school's upward trajectory is encouraging, the district must address the elementary math slump and middle school math deficits to sustain progress. Families should note that year-over-year test scores fluctuate considerably, suggesting small class sizes and variable cohort performance.
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