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Average

#2333 of 3,190 schools in MI

Clifford H Smart Middle School

Middle School · Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

8500 COMMERCE RD, Commerce Township, MI 48382

Enrollment

906

Student-Teacher

20.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Commerce Township

#8 of 9

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#339 of 497

In district

#16 of 19

Walled Lake Consolidated Schools

Equity

8.2 / 10

Very strong

About Clifford H Smart Middle School

Clifford H Smart Middle School serves 906 students in grades 6-8 in Commerce Township, Michigan. With 44 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1, providing a moderately sized learning environment for middle school students. The school currently holds a 4.0 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranks #2722 out of 3204 middle schools statewide, placing it in the 15th percentile among Michigan schools.

While these rankings indicate room for academic growth, the school serves students during the crucial middle school transition years when educational foundations are being strengthened. Clifford H Smart Middle School is situated in Commerce Township, part of Oakland County, a community known for its suburban character and strong economic foundation. The surrounding 48382 ZIP code area reflects an affluent neighborhood with a median household income of $129,000 and median home values of $368,100.

Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains low at just 4.5%. The school operates as a regular public institution in this large suburban setting, serving families in a well-established community that values education and maintains strong socioeconomic stability.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Clifford H Smart Middle School is 20.6:1, 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 Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.17 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency64.2%
Math vs. State Avg+18.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+26.2 pts
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)60%
vs. Expected-3.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,391

Clifford H Smart Middle School — Students at Clifford H Smart Middle School score 56% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.3%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 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
62%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
43%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
47.7%
ELA
64.1%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Clifford H Smart Middle School Compares

See how Clifford H Smart Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
27th percentile in MI
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
4.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

8500 COMMERCE RD, Commerce Township, MI 48382

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Clifford H Smart Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Pleasant Lake Elementary School (rated 9.1/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby West Bloomfield), which scores notably higher. Another option is Oakley Park Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Walled Lake Central High School (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Commerce Township, see our Commerce Township schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.9 mi
School Distance Rating
LAKES AREA MONTESSORI Walled Lake 1.1 mi 6.8
Keith Elementary School West Bloomfield 1.0 mi 8.0
Oakley Park Elementary School Commerce Township 1.6 mi 8.8
Walled Lake Central High School Commerce Township 2.0 mi 8.4
Commerce Elementary School Commerce Township 1.8 mi 6.4
ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL White Lake 2.5 mi 4.0
Walnut Creek Middle School West Bloomfield 2.9 mi 4.9
Dublin Elementary White Lake 3.0 mi 8.0
Mary Helen Guest Elementary School Walled Lake 3.2 mi 5.7
ST MATTHEW LUTHERAN SCHOOL Walled Lake 3.1 mi 6.4
Pleasant Lake Elementary School West Bloomfield 2.8 mi 9.1
Walled Lake Northern High School Commerce Twp 2.6 mi 8.2
Houghton Elementary School White Lake 3.5 mi 4.4
Scotch Elementary School West Bloomfield 2.7 mi 5.0
Glengary Elementary School Commerce Township 3.1 mi 8.4
Oxbow Elementary School White Lake 3.7 mi 3.9
Beaumont Elementary School Waterford 4.0 mi 5.5
Gretchko Elementary School West Bloomfield 3.4 mi 7.4
ST WILLIAM SCHOOL Walled Lake 4.4 mi 6.9
THE SUSAN AND RABBI HAROLD LOSS ECC West Bloomfield 3.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48382 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$132,602

Median Home Value

$404,700

Median Rent

$1,685/mo

Population

23,550

College Educated

49.1%

Homeownership

92.3%

Avg Commute

30.6 min

Poverty Rate

5.3%

Median Age

43.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Clifford H Smart Middle School has a median household income of $132,602. It is a well-educated community where 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $404,700, with a median rent of $1,685/month. The local poverty rate of 5.3% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 31 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
Holly Middle School Holly, MI 5.4
Oak Park Preparatory Academy Oak Park, MI 5.4
Owen Intermediate School Belleville, MI 5.4
Discovery Middle School Canton, MI 5.5
Middle School North Macomb, MI 5.5
Milwood Magnet School Kalamazoo, MI 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Clifford H Smart Middle School

What grades does Clifford H Smart Middle School serve?

Clifford H Smart Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Clifford H Smart Middle School?

Clifford H Smart Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 906 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Clifford H Smart Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Clifford H Smart Middle School is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Clifford H Smart Middle School rank in MI?

Clifford H Smart Middle School is ranked #2333 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Clifford H Smart Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Clifford H Smart Middle School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Clifford H Smart Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Clifford H Smart Middle School has 49.3% math proficiency and 64.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Clifford H Smart Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Clifford H Smart Middle School a Title I school?

No, Clifford H Smart Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Clifford H Smart Middle School?

23.3% of students at Clifford H Smart 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

City Safety
Average (676/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Commerce Township). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
906
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Oakland County
Data Year
2023–2024

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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