Schools in Zip Code 49746

Zip code 49746 in Hillman, Michigan, is served by two public schools within the Hillman Community Schools district, which together educate roughly 432 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a rural setting where a significant portion of families face economic challenges.

For parents, the most striking takeaway is the dramatic contrast between the two campuses. Hillman Community JrSr High School has experienced a stunning decline, falling from an elite 83rd percentile ranking two years ago to just the 42nd percentile today—a drop of over 330 positions in state rankings. While the high school still posts a strong 92.8% graduation rate and above-average reading scores on both the SAT and PSAT, its math performance is nothing short of catastrophic, with only 11.4% of 11th graders proficient in SAT math compared to the state's 26.5%. Meanwhile, Hillman Elementary School is quietly improving, climbing from the 24th to 33rd percentile over the same period, with 5th graders nearly matching state averages in reading, science, and social studies.

The single most important issue facing this district is a profound math crisis that spans every grade level. From 4th grade (10.8% proficiency) through 8th grade (8.57%) and into high school, math scores sit at roughly one-quarter to one-third of state averages, while reading scores actually exceed state benchmarks in several grades. This 60-point gap between literacy and numeracy at the 8th grade level suggests a systemic failure in math instruction rather than a problem with any particular cohort. With per-student spending around $16,500 and favorable class sizes, the district appears adequately funded, making the math deficiency particularly puzzling. Parents should note that with only 30-35 students per grade, year-to-year swings can be misleading, but the consistent math struggles across all ages point to a problem that needs immediate attention. The elementary school's steady improvement offers some hope, but the high school's rapid fall from grace warrants serious investigation by district leadership.