Skip to main content

Very Good

#899 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 28% in state

Houghton Elementary School

Elementary School · Houghton-Portage Township School District

203 WEST JACKER AVE, Houghton, MI 49931

Enrollment

654

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

7.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Houghton

#3 of 3

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#544 of 1,602

In district

#3 of 3

Houghton-Portage Township School District

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Houghton Elementary School

Houghton Elementary School serves 654 students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the remote town of Houghton, Michigan. This regular public school has earned strong academic recognition, ranking #442 out of 3,204 schools statewide and placing in the 86th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, with 72% of students achieving proficiency or above in math and 66% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading.

With 36 full-time equivalent teachers, Houghton Elementary maintains an 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for elementary learners. Located at 203 West Jacker Avenue, the school serves a community where 57% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting a highly educated population despite economic challenges. The surrounding ZIP code has a median household income of $38,750 and a poverty rate of 29.3%, with median home values around $215,200.

Houghton Elementary's strong academic standing suggests it effectively serves its diverse student body, helping children build foundational skills in this tight-knit remote community of approximately 10,000 residents. The school operates in Houghton County's unique Upper Peninsula setting, where educational achievement thrives despite geographic isolation.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65.5%
Math vs. State Avg+30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+23.6 pts
Overall Proficiency69%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected+16.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.3Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,319

Houghton Elementary School — Students at Houghton Elementary School score 69% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

35.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.2%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 65.6%
School
State
43.4%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
76%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
65%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
65.4%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Houghton Elementary School Compares

See how Houghton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in MI
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
36%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers

Location

203 WEST JACKER AVE, Houghton, MI 49931

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Houghton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Range Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 4.7 miles away, in nearby South Range), which scores notably higher. Another option is EB Holman Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 7.4 miles away, in nearby Atlantic Mine), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Barkell Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Hancock), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Houghton, see our Houghton schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 25.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Houghton Middle School Houghton 0.6 mi 8.2
Houghton Central High School Houghton 0.6 mi 8.9
Barkell Elementary School Hancock 1.7 mi 7.9
Hancock MiddleHigh School Hancock 1.9 mi 5.9
Copper Country Learning Center Hancock 2.0 mi 6.9
COPPER COUNTRY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Chassell 3.3 mi 3.0
Dollar BayTamarack City Area K12 School Dollar Bay 3.2 mi 7.5
South Range Elementary School South Range 4.7 mi 8.8
Copper Island Academy Calumet 5.1 mi 7.2
Chassell K12 School Chassell 7.3 mi 7.3
Jeffers High School Painesdale 6.8 mi 7.5
EB Holman Elementary School Atlantic Mine 7.4 mi 8.2
Calumet High School Calumet 10.7 mi 8.1
CLK Elementary School Calumet 10.7 mi 5.3
Washington Middle School Calumet 10.7 mi 7.7
Lake LindenHubbell Schools Lake Linden 9.6 mi 7.3
CHSHorizons School Calumet 16.6 mi 7.1
PELKIE MENNONITE SCHOOL Pelkie 21.8 mi
Baraga School Baraga 23.7 mi 7.5
LAnse Area School Lanse 25.4 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 Elementary 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
Adams Elementary School Midland, MI 7.2
Barnard Elementary School Troy, MI 7.2
Campbell Elementary School Muskegon, MI 7.2
Central School Owosso, MI 7.2
Charlevoix Elementary School Charlevoix, MI 7.2
Cherry Creek Elementary School Lowell, MI 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Houghton Elementary School

What grades does Houghton Elementary School serve?

Houghton Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Houghton Elementary School?

Houghton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 654 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Houghton Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Houghton Elementary School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Houghton Elementary School rank in MI?

Houghton Elementary School is ranked #899 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Houghton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Houghton Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Houghton Elementary School has 72.2% math proficiency and 65.6% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Houghton Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Houghton Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Houghton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Houghton Elementary School?

35.6% of students at Houghton 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (794/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
654
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Free/Reduced Lunch
35.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Houghton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Houghton-Portage Township School District
District Enrollment
1,478
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,288
District Rank
#3 of 3

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

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.