Schools in Zip Code 49629

Zip code 49629 in Elk Rapids, Michigan, is served by four schools within the Elk Rapids Schools district, which together educate 947 students across elementary through high school grades in a small, lakeside community.

For parents, the clear standout is Elk Rapids High School, which ranks in the top 12% of Michigan high schools and posts exceptional results: a 97.7% graduation rate, a 1.1% dropout rate, and SAT math proficiency more than double the state average (56.1% vs. 26.5%). It outperforms Sunrise Academy, the district's small alternative high school, on nearly every academic metric, though Sunrise still graduates 90.9% of its students while serving a much higher proportion of economically disadvantaged learners (47.6% free/reduced lunch vs. 18.9% at the main high school). At the lower levels, Cherryland Middle School consistently beats state averages across all subjects, with particular strength in 8th-grade PSAT math (+16.8 points over state) and social studies (+11.1 points). Lakeland Elementary School shows a notable split: it excels in 5th-grade science (64% proficiency, +24 points over state) and social studies (+20.5 points), but its math scores hover near state averages, with 4th-grade math actually falling below the state benchmark (32.5% vs. 39.4%).

Across the district, science and social studies are consistent strengths from 5th through 11th grade, suggesting a strong K-12 curriculum in those areas. However, all three main schools have seen their statewide rankings slip over the past three years—Elk Rapids High fell from 18th to 89th, Lakeland from 243rd to 409th, and Cherryland from 136th to 151st—even as they remain above the 70th percentile. Chronic absenteeism is a hidden issue, particularly at Sunrise Academy (28.5%) and Lakeland (17.0%), though the district's overall rate of 15.0% is well below the state's 27.9%. Finally, per-student spending varies notably: the main campuses invest $14,300-$15,300 per student, while Sunrise receives only $10,005 despite serving a more at-risk population—a resource gap worth examining. Despite these challenges, the district earns 4 stars and delivers top-quartile results with moderate spending, making it a solid choice for families prioritizing strong academics, especially in high school math and the sciences.