Best High Schools in Zip Code 49319

Zip code 49319 in Cedar Springs, Michigan, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12 within the Cedar Springs Public Schools district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 79th percentile of Michigan districts.

Cedar Springs High School is the clear academic leader, serving 952 students and earning a 4-star rating with a statewide rank of 156 out of 800 schools (80th percentile). This school outperforms state averages across every tested subject, with particularly strong results in 10th-grade PSAT Math (50% proficiency vs. 31.5% statewide) and 10th-grade PSAT ELA (70.8% vs. 58% statewide). The school boasts a 93% graduation rate, a low 3.1% dropout rate, and chronic absenteeism of just 17.7%—all significantly better than state averages. However, test scores declined across all subjects from the previous year, with science dropping 10.8 points and SAT Reading/Writing falling 5.5 points, suggesting the school should monitor its academic trajectory. In contrast, New Beginnings Alternative High School serves just 50 students with a different mission, showing a 45.9% graduation rate, 18.9% dropout rate, and 64% chronic absenteeism—figures that reflect the challenges of its higher-need population, where 54% of students are economically disadvantaged.

Both schools share the same physical address, creating an interesting dynamic where students with vastly different circumstances attend school at the same location. New Beginnings spends $17,533 per student compared to $14,209 at Cedar Springs High School—a 23% spending premium that reflects additional support services for at-risk students, yet outcomes remain dramatically lower. Cedar Springs High School consistently outperforms its own district averages, meaning the alternative school drags down district-wide statistics and masks the traditional high school's strong performance. With only 29.73% of Cedar Springs High School students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school benefits from a relatively low poverty rate that likely contributes to its academic success. Parents in this area should recognize Cedar Springs High School as a top-tier option with strong academics and graduation outcomes, while understanding that New Beginnings serves a specialized purpose for students who need alternative pathways to complete their education.