Summary:
Zip code 49729 is home to a single school, Ellsworth Community School, a small PK-12 institution in rural Ellsworth, Michigan, serving 228 students within the Ellsworth Community School district.
For parents, this school offers a uniquely personalized education environment. With a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $19,400, your child is likely to receive significant individual attention. The school’s most impressive achievement is its perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, far exceeding state averages. Academically, the school shines in upper-level science, with 11th graders posting a 55.6% proficiency rate on state science tests (state: 35.2%) and strong SAT reading scores (59.3% proficient vs. 52.1% statewide). However, performance is uneven. While 7th grade math proficiency is excellent at 57.14% (state: 33.3%), the school struggles in 6th grade ELA (21.43% proficient) and 8th grade science (26.1% proficient). SAT math proficiency for 11th graders sits at 37%, and 10th grade PSAT math is a concerning 17.65%. The data also reveals significant year-to-year swings—for example, 3rd grade ELA dropped from 69.23% to 40%—which is common in small schools where a few students can dramatically shift percentages.
Notably, the school serves a majority low-income population, with 56.14% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, yet still achieves strong graduation outcomes. Chronic absenteeism affects 22.5% of students, better than the state’s 27.9% but still meaning roughly one in five students misses significant school time. The most encouraging pattern is student recovery: despite a noticeable "middle school dip" in several subjects, students rebound strongly by 9th grade, with PSAT ELA proficiency reaching 75%. This suggests that while transition years can be challenging, the school’s high investment per student helps learners ultimately find their footing and succeed through graduation.
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