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Below Average

#2975 of 3,190 schools in MI

Lake Center Elementary School

Elementary School · Portage Public Schools

10011 PORTAGE RD, Portage, MI 49002

Enrollment

516

Student-Teacher

16.6:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portage

#15 of 15

public schools

Michigan elementary schools

#1,500 of 1,602

In district

#14 of 14

Portage Public Schools

Equity

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Lake Center Elementary School

Lake Center Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Portage, Michigan. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 516 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 16.6:1, with 31 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.7 out of 10, placing it in the 56th percentile among Michigan schools, which means there's room for academic growth and development.

In terms of test performance, Lake Center Elementary has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 56% and a Math proficiency rate of 50%. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student outcomes. Despite these challenges, the school offers a supportive learning environment with dedicated teachers who work hard to ensure each child receives the attention they need.

Lake Center Elementary is situated in a small city setting within Portage, providing students with both urban and suburban experiences. The community values education and supports its local schools, making Lake Center a part of a nurturing neighborhood where children can thrive socially and academically.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.9Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.75 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.5Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45.2%
Reading/ELA Proficiency53.6%
Math vs. State Avg+3.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.7 pts
Overall Proficiency49%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected-9.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile50th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.3Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,521

Lake Center Elementary School — Students at Lake Center Elementary School score 49% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 49.7%
School
State
36.0%
ELA Proficiency 56.1%
School
State
43.4%

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
71%
ELA
67%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
55%
2022
Math
45.3%
ELA
53.6%

* 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: 1.9/10.

How Lake Center Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in MI
Academic
6.5/10
6.5/10
Growth
1.9/10
Below average
Environment
6.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
24%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

10011 PORTAGE RD, Portage, MI 49002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Center Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Oakland Academy (rated 8.1/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KALAMAZOO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 4.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Sunset Lake Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 3.6 miles away, in nearby Vicksburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Central Elementary School Portage 2.0 mi 4.8
Portage Central High School Portage 2.1 mi 7.0
Portage Central Middle School Portage 2.1 mi 5.9
Tobey Elementary School Scotts 2.9 mi 6.2
Sunset Lake Elementary School Vicksburg 3.6 mi 7.8
Woodland Elementary School Portage 3.4 mi 4.9
WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage 4.2 mi 7.2
ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage 3.7 mi 6.4
Haverhill Elementary School Portage 4.0 mi 5.2
Vicksburg Pathways High School Vicksburg 4.2 mi 6.1
Vicksburg Middle School Vicksburg 4.2 mi 5.9
KALAMAZOO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Portage 4.4 mi 7.9
Portage Community High School Portage 4.4 mi 7.5
Vicksburg High School Vicksburg 4.4 mi 7.0
Portage North Middle School Portage 4.5 mi 4.7
Portage Northern High School Portage 4.7 mi 6.6
Oakland Academy Portage 4.4 mi 8.1
Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage 4.1 mi 5.9
Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo 5.0 mi 6.5
Portage West Middle School Portage 4.2 mi 5.7

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 Lake Center 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
May V Peck Elementary School Center Line, MI 4.2
Randels Elementary School Flint, MI 4.2
Woodland Elementary School Troy, MI 4.2
Bridge Academy East Hamtramck, MI 4.3
Central Kelloggsville Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 4.3
Douglas Elementary 34 Campus Garden City, MI 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Center Elementary School

What grades does Lake Center Elementary School serve?

Lake Center Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Lake Center Elementary School?

Lake Center Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 516 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Center Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Center Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Center Elementary School rank in MI?

Lake Center Elementary School is ranked #2975 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Lake Center Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Center Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Lake Center Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Center Elementary School has 49.7% math proficiency and 56.1% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lake Center Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Lake Center Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

23.8% of students at Lake Center 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

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
516
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kalamazoo County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Portage Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,514
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,805
District Rank
#14 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 methodology

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