Summary:
Zip code 49720, encompassing the Charlevoix, Michigan area, is served by four schools—one elementary, one combined middle/high school, and two specialized schools—that together educate roughly 906 students across PK-12 grades under two distinct administrative districts.
For families considering the traditional public school path, Charlevoix Middle High School stands out as the academic leader in the area. It ranks in the 89th percentile of Michigan high schools (up from the 81st percentile the prior year) and boasts a 96.7% graduation rate versus the state's 84.0%. Its students dramatically outperform state averages in science and social studies—by 23 to 31 percentage points—and show strong gains in SAT and PSAT scores. Meanwhile, Charlevoix Elementary School delivers solid, above-average ELA and science results, though it struggles with a notable "math slide": 3rd graders beat the state by 7 points, but by 5th grade they lag by 18 points. Both schools operate under Charlevoix Public Schools, which ranks in the 86th percentile statewide. Chronic absenteeism at these two schools (17-19%) is well below the state average of 27.9%.
The picture changes dramatically for the specialized schools under Charlevoix-Emmet Independent School District (Isd). CharEm Special Education Schools serves students with significant disabilities at an extraordinarily intensive level—a 3.9:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $154,772—but faces an 80.4% chronic absenteeism rate. CharEm Alternative Schools serves the highest proportion of economically disadvantaged students (68% free/reduced lunch) but has the highest student-teacher ratio (22:1) of all four schools. These two schools highlight the unique challenges of serving high-need populations, with attendance and resource allocation being critical factors for families exploring those options.
Thank you for your feedback!