Summary:
Zip code 49707 in Alpena, Michigan, is home to four elementary schools serving grades PK-5 (or K-5) within the Alpena Public Schools district, which currently holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 42nd percentile statewide.
For parents exploring this area, Hinks Elementary is the clear standout. Despite having the smallest enrollment (132 students) and a moderate economic disadvantage rate (56% free/reduced lunch), Hinks ranks highest at the 61st percentile with a 3-star rating, and it has maintained that rating for three consecutive years. Its chronic absenteeism rate of just 13% is remarkably low—less than one-third of the district average of 44%—and it leads the group in 4th-grade ELA (55% proficient) and Math (50% proficient). At the opposite end, Lincoln Elementary serves the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students (78.77%) and ranks lowest at the 40th percentile, but it deserves attention for its dramatic improvement—jumping from the 14th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 40th percentile in 2025-2026. Besser Elementary, the largest school with 470 students, is a concern: it suffered a steep 19-percentile-point drop in a single year, with 4th-grade ELA proficiency falling from 56.4% to 26.0%. Ella M White Elementary sits in the middle, ranking at the 47th percentile with steady, mid-range performance.
All four schools keep chronic absenteeism below the state average of 27.9%, a notable strength given the district's 44% rate. Science is a bright spot, with three of four schools exceeding the state average in 5th-grade Science. However, 5th-grade Math is a consistent weakness across the board, and spending does not correlate with results—Lincoln spends the most per student ($16,275) yet performs lowest, while Hinks achieves top results with the second-highest spending. For parents, Hinks offers the strongest combination of academics and attendance, while Lincoln shows promising momentum despite its challenges.
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