Best High Schools in Zip Code 49401

Zip code 49401 in Allendale, Michigan is home to two high schools within the Allendale Public Schools district, serving grades 8 through 12 with a combined enrollment of nearly 800 students.

Allendale High School is the clear standout in this area, ranking in the 85th percentile of Michigan schools after a remarkable jump of 138 positions in a single year. This traditional school serves 737 students and boasts a 98.2% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 84%. Test scores are strong across the board, with particularly impressive results in 9th-grade PSAT Math (52.9% proficient vs. 33.5% statewide) and SAT Reading/Writing (68.4% vs. 52.1% statewide). The school also maintains a low 1.1% dropout rate and a chronic absenteeism rate of 19.3%, which is actually below the state average. With a 20:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $13,174, this school provides a traditional, well-supported learning environment.

In stark contrast, Allendale Virtual Academy serves just 51 students in grades 9-12 and faces significant challenges. Its graduation rate of 58.3% is 35 percentage points below the district average, and its dropout rate of 12.5% is five times higher than the district rate. The virtual school also struggles with a 65.5% chronic absenteeism rate—more than triple the state average—and a concerning 54.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Notably, over half of its students qualify for free/reduced lunch (50.98%), compared to just under 20% at the traditional high school, suggesting it serves a more economically disadvantaged population. Despite these higher needs, the Virtual Academy spends $1,662 less per student than Allendale High. No recent test score data is available for the virtual school, making academic progress difficult to assess. While the district earns a 5-star rating largely due to Allendale High's performance, the significant disparities between these two schools—in outcomes, resources, and student support—raise important questions about whether the virtual model is adequately serving its students.