Schools in Zip Code 49908

Zip code 49908 is served by a single educational institution, Baraga School, an alternative K-12 school within the Baraga Area Schools district, enrolling 324 students in a small, rural setting.

For parents, the most important takeaway is that Baraga School offers a uniquely personalized environment with a favorable 12.4:1 student-teacher ratio and substantial per-student funding of $20,939. However, this investment has not translated into consistent academic outcomes. The school significantly lags state averages in elementary math and ELA, with 3rd grade math proficiency at just 27.8% compared to the state's 42.9%, and 5th grade ELA at 29.6% versus 43.8% statewide. The picture brightens considerably in the upper grades, where 11th grade science proficiency (50%) and social studies (60%) far exceed state averages by roughly 15 and 17 points respectively. Eighth grade reading is another relative strength, with PSAT ELA proficiency at 68%, beating the state's 64.8%, even as 8th grade math sits at just 20%. This stark contrast suggests that while foundational skills are a challenge, the school excels at engaging older students in content-area subjects.

The school faces significant headwinds, including a 40.6% chronic absenteeism rate and a graduation rate of just 59%, well below the state's 84%. With nearly 67% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, socioeconomic factors are likely a primary driver of these challenges. Parents should also be aware of extreme year-over-year volatility in test scores—for example, 11th grade social studies jumped from 25% to 60% proficiency in one year—which indicates very small cohort sizes where individual student performance has an outsized impact. While the school's alternative designation means it serves students who may have struggled elsewhere, its 59% graduation rate should be viewed in that context. Ultimately, Baraga School provides strong upper-grade instruction and dedicated resources, but attendance and early academic intervention remain critical areas of concern for families to monitor.