Best High Schools in Zip Code 49913

Zip code 49913, serving the Calumet and Mohawk area of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is home to two high schools—Calumet High School and CHSHorizons School—both operating under the Public Schools of Calumet Laurium & Keweenaw district, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 78th percentile statewide.

For parents, the standout choice is clearly Calumet High School, a traditional high school with 525 students that consistently outperforms state averages in nearly every subject. Its 11th graders post especially strong results in science (56.7% proficient vs. 35.2% statewide) and reading/writing (69.7% vs. 52.1%), while its graduation rate of 89.6% and dropout rate of just 1.6% are both better than state figures. The school has also improved its state ranking for three straight years, climbing to 125th out of roughly 740 schools. However, math remains a relative weak spot—only 31.9% of 11th graders are proficient, and that figure actually dipped slightly year-over-year. Chronic absenteeism (30.4%) also runs above the state average of 27.9%, despite strong academics. By contrast, CHSHorizons School is a much smaller alternative school (73 students) serving a higher-need population, with 72.6% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch. Its graduation rate is just 57.1%, and its dropout rate of 10.7% is well above the state norm. No recent test scores or rankings are available for this school, likely due to small cohort sizes.

The most striking takeaway is the dramatic divide between these two schools under the same district leadership. Calumet High School excels academically and is on an upward trajectory, while CHSHorizons School faces far greater challenges tied to poverty and at-risk students. Notably, the district invests more per student at CHSHorizons ($16,403 vs. $14,019) and maintains a lower student-teacher ratio there (11.6:1 vs. 17.7:1), reflecting the intensive support needed. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at both schools, but especially at CHSHorizons (45.1%). For families, this zip code offers a high-performing traditional option in Calumet High School, while CHSHorizons serves a specialized, alternative purpose for students who need a different educational environment.