Summary:
Zip code 49744 is home to just one elementary school, Wilson Elementary, a small rural school in Herron, Michigan, serving grades K-5 with 220 students under the Alpena Public Schools district.
For parents considering this area, Wilson Elementary presents a mixed picture that varies dramatically by grade level. The school's biggest strength is its exceptional 3rd grade performance, where 65% of students are proficient in math—far exceeding both the district (35.7%) and state (42.9%) averages—and 45% are proficient in ELA, also well above district levels. Another standout feature is the remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of just 10.6%, compared to a staggering 44.0% district average and 27.9% statewide, suggesting strong family engagement and consistent attendance. However, these early successes do not carry through to upper grades. By 5th grade, proficiency drops sharply across all subjects, with ELA at just 16.7% (versus 42.9% district and 43.8% state) and science at 30.6% (versus 47.1% district). This pattern indicates that while early intervention programs appear effective, the school struggles to maintain academic momentum as students advance, possibly pointing to a challenging cohort or gaps in upper-elementary instruction.
Financially, Wilson spends a healthy $13,934 per student with a favorable 14.7:1 student-teacher ratio, yet the inconsistent results raise questions about resource allocation across grade levels. The school serves a majority low-income population (55% free/reduced lunch), making its strong 3rd grade outcomes particularly notable. The year-over-year data shows improvement in 3rd and 4th grade ELA and 3rd grade math, but significant declines in all 5th grade subjects, including a 25.7-point drop in science. With its state ranking falling from the 55th to 44th percentile, Wilson Elementary offers strong early foundations but clearly needs targeted support for its upper elementary students to ensure all children reach their full potential.
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