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Average

#1291 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 40% in state

Brethren Middle School

Middle School · Kaleva Norman Dickson School District

4400 NORTH HIGH BRIDGE RD, Brethren, MI 49619

Enrollment

81

Student-Teacher

16.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,291 of 3,192

In Brethren

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

Kaleva Norman Dickson School District

Equity

7.9 / 10

Very Good

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Brethren Middle School

6.7/10

Middle School in Brethren · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Brethren High School

5.8/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Knd Elementary

3.3/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Brethren Middle School

Brethren Middle School is a public middle school in Brethren, MI, part of Kaleva Norman Dickson School District. Brethren Middle School serves approximately 81 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 16.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Brethren Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,291 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Brethren Middle School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.8 pts above MI schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

At 81 students, Brethren Middle School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Brethren Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

38% of students at Brethren Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.9Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency33% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency50.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+2.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12.3 pts
Overall Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+7.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
Resources & Environment6.4Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,416
Chronic Absenteeism38.3%

Brethren Middle School — Students at Brethren Middle School score 42% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

64.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
33.7% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 50.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
49.2% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 32 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
72%
ELA
77%
2010
Math
87%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
30.8%
ELA
49.9%

* 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: 5.9/10.

How Brethren Middle School Compares

See how Brethren Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
60th percentile in MI
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
5.9/10
Average
Environment
6.4/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
64%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
5 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
38.3%

Location

4400 NORTH HIGH BRIDGE RD, Brethren, MI 49619

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Brethren Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Onekama Consolidated Schools (rated 8.2/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Onekama), which scores notably higher. Another option is Bear Lake High School (rated 7.5/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Bear Lake), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Mesick Consolidated JrSr High School (rated 6.8/10, 17.0 miles away, in nearby Mesick), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Brethren, see our Brethren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Brethren High School Brethren 0.0 mi 5.8
KND Elementary Brethren 0.0 mi 3.3
PLEASANTVIEW MENNONITE SCHOOL Kaleva 7.3 mi
Bear Lake High School Bear Lake 10.1 mi 7.5
Bear Lake Elementary School Bear Lake 10.1 mi 5.4
Onekama Consolidated Schools Onekama 9.9 mi 8.2
Betsie Valley School Thompsonville 13.8 mi 4.6
Manistee ISD Center Programs Manistee 13.3 mi 5.8
John F Kennedy Elem School Manistee 15.1 mi 5.5
Casman Alternative Academy Manistee 15.1 mi 6.0
Michigan Great Lakes Virtual Academy Manistee 15.2 mi 6.3
Thomas Jefferson Elem School Manistee 15.9 mi 3.5
Benzie Academy Benzonia 21.8 mi 5.1
Benzie Central Middle School Benzonia 21.8 mi 5.2
Benzie Central Sr High School Benzonia 21.8 mi 6.5
Manistee Middle High School Manistee 16.1 mi 6.4
Homestead Hills Elementary School Benzonia 22.3 mi 3.6
Highpoint Virtual Academy of MIchigan Mesick 16.9 mi 5.9
Floyd M Jewett Elem School Mesick 16.9 mi 5.4
Mesick Consolidated JrSr High School Mesick 17.0 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49619 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,118

Median Home Value

$135,800

Median Rent

$1,250/mo

Population

1,054

College Educated

14.7%

Homeownership

93.8%

Avg Commute

25.3 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

46.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
East Elementary School Iron Mountain, MI 6.8
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS Battle Creek, MI 6.5
Au GresSims Middle School Au Gres, MI 7.0
Goodwillie Environmental School Grand Rapids, MI 6.4
North Central Middle School Powers, MI 7.2
Center for Economicology Grand Rapids, MI 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brethren Middle School

What grades does Brethren Middle School serve?

Brethren Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Brethren Middle School?

Brethren Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 81 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Brethren Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Brethren Middle School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Brethren Middle School rank in MI?

Brethren Middle School ranks #1,291 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Brethren Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Brethren Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Brethren Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Brethren Middle School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Brethren Middle School a charter school?

No, Brethren Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Brethren Middle School a Title I school?

No, Brethren Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brethren Middle School?

64.2% of students at Brethren Middle 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

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 8th
Enrollment
81
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Free/Reduced Lunch
64.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Manistee County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
38.3%

District

Kaleva Norman Dickson School District
District Enrollment
531
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,416
District Rank
#1 of 3

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