Below Average
#2718 of 3,190 schools in MI
Central Elementary School
Elementary School · Portage Public Schools
8422 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
447
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
4.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portage
#13 of 15
public schools
Michigan elementary schools
#1,379 of 1,602
In district
#12 of 14
Portage Public Schools
About Central Elementary School
Central Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Portage, Michigan, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 447 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment facilitated by 26 full-time equivalent teachers. Central Elementary School aims to foster academic growth and development in its students, with test scores showing that 46% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 40% are proficient or above in Math.
While these scores indicate there is room for improvement, the school remains committed to enhancing educational outcomes for all its learners. Located within a small city setting, Central Elementary School benefits from a close-knit community that supports both students and faculty. The surrounding area offers a blend of residential neighborhoods and local amenities, making it an inviting place for families seeking quality education in a supportive environment.
Score Breakdown
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Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
35.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 3.8/10.
How Central Elementary School Compares
See how Central Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 37.12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 42.62% (2022).
Location
8422 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakland Academy (rated 8.1/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Angling Road Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 3.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Amberly Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Portage Central Middle School Portage | 0.3 mi | 5.9 |
| Portage Central High School Portage | 0.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Woodland Elementary School Portage | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Haverhill Elementary School Portage | 2.0 mi | 5.2 |
| Lake Center Elementary School Portage | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| Portage Community High School Portage | 2.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Oakland Academy Portage | 2.5 mi | 8.1 |
| Portage North Middle School Portage | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Portage West Middle School Portage | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Portage Northern High School Portage | 2.8 mi | 6.6 |
| Amberly Elementary School Portage | 2.5 mi | 6.5 |
| WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage | 2.8 mi | 7.2 |
| HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo | 3.5 mi | 8.4 |
| Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo | 3.5 mi | 6.5 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| Angling Road Elementary School Portage | 3.7 mi | 7.2 |
| Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo | 4.2 mi | 3.3 |
| 12th Street Elementary Portage | 3.4 mi | 5.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49002 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$71,621
Median Home Value
$223,000
Median Rent
$910/mo
Population
19,444
College Educated
43%
Homeownership
70.2%
Avg Commute
19.1 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
38.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $71,621. It is a well-educated community where 43% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $223,000, with a median rent of $910/month. The local poverty rate of 8.2% is relatively low. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| Bennett Elementary School Detroit, MI | 4.8 |
| Brown School Saint Joseph, MI | 4.8 |
| Clara B Bolen Elementary School Tawas City, MI | 4.8 |
| Cumberland School Lansing, MI | 4.8 |
| Edwardsburg Primary School Edwardsburg, MI | 4.8 |
| Eisenhower Elementary School Fraser, MI | 4.8 |
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 is ranked #2718 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Central Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 40.0% math proficiency and 46.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,264/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 447
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 35.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kalamazoo County
- Phone
- (269) 323-6100
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portage Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,514
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,805
- District Rank
- #12 of 14
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 methodologyRelated reading
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