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Average

#1978 of 3,190 schools in MI

Bemis Junior High School

Middle School · Utica Community Schools

12500 19 MILE RD, Sterling Heights, MI 48313

Enrollment

787

Student-Teacher

21.9:1

Score

5.9

Grades

7th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sterling Heights

#17 of 30

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#273 of 497

In district

#21 of 37

Utica Community Schools

Equity

8.3 / 10

Very strong

About Bemis Junior High School

# Bemis Junior High School Bemis Junior High School serves grades 7 and 8 in Sterling Heights, a large suburban community in Macomb County. With an enrollment of 787 students and 36 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.9:1, offering a mid-sized middle school environment. Academically, Bemis ranks in the 65th percentile statewide, placing it at #1,109 among Michigan's 3,204 schools.

In English language arts and reading, 61% of students perform at or above proficiency levels. Mathematics shows an area for growth, with 43% of students achieving proficiency or above. The school's overall academic score of 7.7/10 reflects solid foundational performance with opportunities to strengthen student outcomes, particularly in math.

Located on 19 Mile Road in Sterling Heights, Bemis sits within a large suburban setting that characterizes much of the Macomb County landscape.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Bemis Junior High School is 21.9:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.03 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.2Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency58.9%
Math vs. State Avg+11.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+20.6 pts
Overall Proficiency50%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile73th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,557

Bemis Junior High School — Students at Bemis Junior High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

45%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 43.2%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 60.8%
School
State
47.6%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
49%
ELA
64%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
63%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
59%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.7/10.

How Bemis Junior High School Compares

See how Bemis Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
38th percentile in MI
Academic
8.2/10
8.2/10
Growth
5.7/10
Above average
Environment
2.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

12500 19 MILE RD, Sterling Heights, MI 48313

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bemis Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eppler Junior High School (rated 6.9/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Utica), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Davis Junior High School (rated 6.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Heritage Junior High School (rated 5.5/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Sterling Heights, see our Sterling Heights schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Browning Elementary School Sterling Heights 0.1 mi 6.9
Jack Harvey Elementary School Sterling Heights 0.5 mi 7.1
Henry Ford II High School Sterling Heights 0.5 mi 5.9
Havel Elementary School Sterling Heights 0.7 mi 6.5
Dresden Elementary School Sterling Heights 0.8 mi 7.0
Graebner Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.1 mi 5.2
CHIQUITOS BILINGUAL MONTESSORI Utica 1.6 mi 8.0
Dekeyser Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.7 mi 6.4
Adlai Stevenson High School Sterling Heights 1.6 mi 6.1
Schwarzkoff Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.6 mi 6.4
Flickinger Elementary School Utica 1.7 mi 6.3
Plumbrook Elementary School Sterling Heights 1.9 mi 7.6
Davis Junior High School Sterling Heights 2.1 mi 6.1
UCS Alternative Learning Center Sterling Heights 1.8 mi 5.4
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Utica 2.0 mi 5.0
Messmore Elementary School Sterling Heights 2.5 mi 7.5
Eppler Junior High School Utica 2.2 mi 6.9
Oakbrook Elementary School Sterling Heights 2.8 mi 6.3
Heritage Junior High School Sterling Heights 2.8 mi 5.5
Huron Elementary School Clinton Twp 2.3 mi 5.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48313 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$87,292

Median Home Value

$248,800

Median Rent

$1,152/mo

Population

33,850

College Educated

32.1%

Homeownership

74.2%

Avg Commute

25.4 min

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bemis Junior High School has a median household income of $87,292. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,800, with a median rent of $1,152/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Cooper Upper Elementary School Westland, MI 5.9
East Middle School Traverse City, MI 5.9
Ferndale Middle School Ferndale, MI 5.9
Grand Blanc Middle School East Grand Blanc, MI 5.9
MacDonald Middle School East Lansing, MI 5.9
Marshall Middle School Marshall, MI 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bemis Junior High School

What grades does Bemis Junior High School serve?

Bemis Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Bemis Junior High School?

Bemis Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 787 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bemis Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bemis Junior High School is 21.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bemis Junior High School rank in MI?

Bemis Junior High School is ranked #1978 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Bemis Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bemis Junior High School has a composite rating of 5.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bemis Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bemis Junior High School has 43.2% math proficiency and 60.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bemis Junior High School a charter school?

No, Bemis Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bemis Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Bemis Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bemis Junior High School?

45.0% of students at Bemis Junior High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,277/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sterling Heights). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
787
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
45.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Macomb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Utica Community Schools
District Enrollment
25,501
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,360
District Rank
#21 of 37

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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