Excellent
#89 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 3% in state
Houghton Central High School
High School · Houghton-Portage Township School District
1603 GUNDLACH RD, Houghton, MI 49931
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
478
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houghton
#1 of 3
public schools
Michigan high schools
#9 of 812
In district
#1 of 3
Houghton-Portage Township School District
Equity
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Houghton Central High School
Houghton Central High School is a public high school in Houghton, MI, part of the Houghton-Portage Township School District. The school serves approximately 478 students in grades 9th – 12th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.9/10, placing it in the 97.2th percentile among MI schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math and 80% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $47,279, where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a remote town setting.
What's said publicly about Houghton Central High School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Houghton Central High School — Students at Houghton Central High School score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
29.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from MI state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Houghton Central High School Compares
See how Houghton Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 62% (2019) to 67% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 77% (2019) to 82% (2021).
Location
1603 GUNDLACH RD, Houghton, MI 49931
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Houghton Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Calumet High School (rated 8.1/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Calumet), with a comparable rating. Another option is Jeffers High School (rated 7.5/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Painesdale), a more accessible option. Additionally, CHSHorizons School (rated 7.1/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Calumet), a more accessible option. For more schools in Houghton, see our Houghton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 24.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Houghton Middle School Houghton | 0.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Houghton Elementary School Houghton | 0.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Hancock MiddleHigh School Hancock | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Barkell Elementary School Hancock | 2.3 mi | 7.9 |
| COPPER COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chassell | 2.8 mi | 3.0 |
| Copper Country Learning Center Hancock | 2.6 mi | 6.9 |
| Dollar BayTamarack City Area K12 School Dollar Bay | 2.8 mi | 7.5 |
| Copper Island Academy Calumet | 5.2 mi | 7.2 |
| South Range Elementary School South Range | 4.7 mi | 8.8 |
| Chassell K12 School Chassell | 6.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Jeffers High School Painesdale | 6.7 mi | 7.5 |
| EB Holman Elementary School Atlantic Mine | 7.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Calumet High School Calumet | 10.9 mi | 8.1 |
| CLK Elementary School Calumet | 10.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Washington Middle School Calumet | 10.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Lake LindenHubbell Schools Lake Linden | 9.5 mi | 7.3 |
| CHSHorizons School Calumet | 16.7 mi | 7.1 |
| PELKIE MENNONITE SCHOOL Pelkie | 21.4 mi | — |
| Baraga School Baraga | 23.2 mi | 7.5 |
| LAnse Area School Lanse | 24.9 mi | 4.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49931 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$47,279
Median Home Value
$221,200
Median Rent
$853/mo
Population
10,229
College Educated
60.3%
Homeownership
44.6%
Avg Commute
12.2 min
Poverty Rate
28.1%
Median Age
22.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Houghton Central High School has a median household income of $47,279. It is a well-educated community where 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,200, with a median rent of $853/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 12 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 |
|---|---|
| Community High School Ann Arbor, MI | 8.8 |
| INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY Interlochen, MI | 8.7 |
| Milan High School Milan, MI | 8.7 |
| Arbor Preparatory High School Ypsilanti, MI | 8.5 |
| LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Jackson, MI | 8.3 |
| Washtenaw International High School Ypsilanti, MI | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Houghton Central High School
What grades does Houghton Central High School serve?
Houghton Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Houghton Central High School?
Houghton Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 478 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Houghton Central High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Houghton Central High School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Houghton Central High School rank in MI?
Houghton Central High School is ranked #89 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Houghton Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Houghton Central High School has a composite rating of 8.9 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 Houghton Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Houghton Central High School has 64.5% math proficiency and 79.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Houghton Central High School a charter school?
No, Houghton Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Houghton Central High School a Title I school?
No, Houghton Central High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Houghton Central High School?
29.3% of students at Houghton Central 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houghton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 478
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 29.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Houghton County
- Phone
- (906) 482-0450
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Houghton-Portage Township School District- District Enrollment
- 1,478
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,288
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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