Summary:
Zip code 49406 is home to just one elementary school, Douglas Elementary School, which serves grades PK-5 within the Saugatuck Public Schools district, making it the sole elementary option for families in this small lakeshore community.
For parents, the standout takeaway is that Douglas Elementary School is an exceptionally high-performing school. It holds a 5-star rating and ranks in the 91st percentile statewide, with its position improving each year from 152nd to 131st out of nearly 1,500 schools. Academically, proficiency rates are roughly 1.5 to 2 times higher than Michigan averages across every subject and grade level. For example, 3rd-grade math proficiency is 81.4% compared to the state's 42.9%, and 3rd-grade ELA is 72.9% versus 38.2%. The school also benefits from a favorable 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $15,100, which supports a well-resourced learning environment. Chronic absenteeism is remarkably low at 13.3%, less than half the district's overall rate of 27.2%—a gap that suggests attendance challenges are concentrated in older grades, not at this elementary school.
One pattern worth noting is that proficiency tends to peak in 3rd grade and decline by 5th grade—for instance, math drops from 81.4% in 3rd grade to 55.6% in 5th grade—though scores still remain far above state averages. There is also year-to-year volatility in specific grades, such as 5th-grade ELA falling from 75.4% to 63.5% between school years, which likely reflects the natural variation of individual student cohorts. With only about 23% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a relatively affluent population. Overall, Douglas Elementary School offers a consistently excellent academic experience, strong attendance, and ample resources, making it a top choice for elementary education in the 49406 area.
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