Summary:
Zip code 49310, encompassing the Blanchard, Michigan area, is home to just one high school: Montabella JuniorSenior High, a combined junior/senior high school serving grades 6 through 12 within the Montabella Community Schools district.
For parents considering this area, Montabella JuniorSenior High presents a picture of a school on a strong upward trajectory, though with some notable inconsistencies. The most encouraging sign is its dramatic improvement in state ranking, jumping from the 17th percentile (1 star) in 2024-2025 to the 57th percentile (3 stars) for 2025-2026. This suggests recent efforts are paying off. The school also posts a graduation rate of 84.6%, slightly above the state average, and a dropout rate of just 5.1%, significantly better than the state's 7.1%. This is particularly noteworthy given that over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating the school is effectively supporting its student body toward graduation.
However, academic performance is uneven. While 7th-grade math (39.1% proficient) and 11th-grade science (37.3%) beat state averages, 8th-grade math proficiency is a stark concern at just 11.3% compared to the state's 33.2%. Similarly, 8th-grade social studies lags at 37.7% versus 50.3% statewide. There is also significant year-to-year volatility in scores, which may be due to small class sizes. For instance, 7th-grade ELA proficiency swung from 35.3% to 20% between school years. Chronic absenteeism affects nearly a quarter of students (24.5%), though this is better than the state average. With per-student spending of $14,507 and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1, the school provides a moderately resourced environment. Overall, this is a school showing clear signs of improvement, but parents should be aware of the specific challenges in middle-school math and the variability in year-to-year results.
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