Average
#1937 of 3,192 schools in MI
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Portage Public Schools · Portage, MI
A Portage Public Schools elementary school where students score 12 points below what's typical for similar communities.
8422 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002
- Math 37% vs MI 37% (2022)
- Reading 43% vs MI 43% (2022)
- 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Central Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
2022 EdFacts proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. MI average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 11 points since 2019, to 40% in 2022, across a 14-year record (2009–2022).
Show all 14 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 48% (multi-year average, 2009-2022) · reading/ELA 58% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 34 test records from MI state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
35.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Central Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 36Car-Dependent
- Bike 62Bikeable
- City Safety: High3,264/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · city context (Portage), not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. Freshness not available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$71,621
Median home value
$223,000
Median rent
$910/mo
College educated
43%
Homeownership
70.2%
Poverty rate
8.2%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 49002; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.8 | PK–5 | 1.4 mi | 370 | Compare → |
| St Michael Lutheran SchoolPrivate · tuition | 6.4private | PK–8 | 1.7 mi | 107 | Compare → |
| Haverhill Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 5.3 | PK–5 | 2.0 mi | 375 | Compare → |
| Lake Center Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.5 | PK–5 | 2.0 mi | 516 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Portage Public Schools
- Schools in district
- 14
- Rank in district
- #12 of 14
- District spending per student
- $13,805NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 5.1%Census SAIPE · 2024
Central Elementary School is listed in Portage Public Schools; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Portage, MI, part of Portage Public Schools, serving approximately 447 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,937 of 3,192 schools in MI. State assessment records show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Central Elementary School
What grades does Central Elementary School serve?
Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Central Elementary School?
Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 447 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Central Elementary School rank in MI?
Central Elementary School ranks #1,937 of 3,192 schools in MI.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 Central Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).
Is Central Elementary School a charter school?
No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?
35.8% of students at Central Elementary 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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kalamazoo County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 19.7%
- Phone
- (269) 323-6100
- Area population (ZIP 49002)
- 19,444
- Area average commute
- 19.1 min
- Area median age
- 38.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2022 EdFacts · Low confidence
- Older source: 2022 EdFacts. Use as historical context.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 49002; this does not measure the attendance area.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2022; directory SY 2023–24
Related reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.