Summary:
Zip code 49820, encompassing the Curtis, Michigan area, is served by a single elementary school, Three Lakes Academy, a small PK-6 public school academy with 114 students.
Three Lakes Academy stands out as a high-performing school despite its size and the fact that 62% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school holds a 4-star rating and ranks #142 out of 625 Michigan districts, placing it in the top quarter statewide. Its success appears driven by a favorable 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 14.4%, far better than the state average of 27.9%. The school also invests $13,792 per student. Most impressively, 6th-grade students achieve exceptional results, with 72.73% proficiency in both English Language Arts and Math—nearly double the state averages of 37.5% and 31.9%, respectively. This suggests a strong upper-elementary program that prepares students well.
However, the school shows notable weaknesses and volatility. In 5th grade, math proficiency (30.77%) falls below the state average (32.2%), and social studies proficiency (23.08%) also lags behind the state (27.5%). Interestingly, the same 5th-grade cohort excels in science (61.54% vs. 40% state), pointing to subject-specific challenges rather than general learning issues. Year-over-year data reveals significant swings common in small schools: 5th-grade math plummeted from 69.23% to 30.77%, while 6th-grade math jumped from 45.45% to 72.73% between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. Overall, the school's state ranking has improved steadily over three years, from #503 to #451. For parents, Three Lakes Academy offers a supportive, well-funded environment with excellent upper-grade outcomes, but they should be aware of potential dips in specific 5th-grade subjects and the inherent variability that comes with a small student body.
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