Best High Schools in Zip Code 49404

Zip code 49404 in Coopersville, Michigan, is served by two high schools within the Coopersville Area Public School District, a top-ranked district (83rd percentile statewide), offering a traditional comprehensive high school and a smaller alternative program for grades 9-12.

Coopersville High School is the clear academic leader, enrolling 860 students and earning a 4-star rating with a state rank of 204 out of 800 schools. It posts an exceptional 97.4% graduation rate—13 points above the state average—and a dropout rate of just 1.0%. The school outperforms Michigan averages in science (44.6% proficiency vs. 35.2% statewide) and social studies (53.1% vs. 43.2%), and it also exceeds state benchmarks in SAT math and 9th-grade PSAT scores. However, SAT reading/writing proficiency dropped sharply from 66.8% to 51.8% in one year, now slightly below the state average. In contrast, CAPS Academy serves just 22 students with far greater needs—59% qualify for free/reduced lunch, and its chronic absenteeism rate is 56.2%, nearly four times the district rate. Its graduation rate is 72.2%, and its dropout rate is 11.1%, both significantly worse than district and state figures.

For parents, the choice is stark: Coopersville High offers a robust, high-performing environment with strong graduation outcomes and competitive test scores, though recent declines in literacy are worth monitoring. CAPS Academy provides a smaller, alternative setting for students who may have struggled elsewhere, but its high absenteeism and lower academic metrics suggest significant challenges. Notably, CAPS spends $2,005 less per student ($13,325 vs. $15,330) despite serving a higher-need population—a potential area of concern. The district overall excels, but the gap between these two schools highlights how alternative programs often require additional resources to close outcome disparities. Coopersville High’s year-over-year ranking jump (from 294th to 112th, then settling at 204th) indicates strong recent improvements, though sustaining that momentum will be key.