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#2529 of 3,190 schools in MI

Paw Paw Middle School

Middle School · Paw Paw Public School District

313 WEST MICHIGAN AVE, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Enrollment

461

Student-Teacher

15.9:1

Score

5.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Paw Paw

#5 of 5

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#380 of 497

In district

#5 of 5

Paw Paw Public School District

About Paw Paw Middle School

Paw Paw Middle School is a regular public middle school located in Paw Paw, Michigan, within Van Buren County. Nestled at 313 West Michigan Avenue, the school serves students from grades six through eight. With an enrollment of 461 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.9:1, Paw Paw Middle School provides personalized attention to its students.

The academic performance at Paw Paw Middle School is currently ranked in the lower half among schools in Michigan, with room for growth. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.6 out of 10, and it ranks 2077th out of 3204 schools statewide. In terms of proficiency rates, 45% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% are proficient or above in Math.

Paw Paw Middle School is situated in a town on the fringe of an urban area, offering a blend of small-town charm and proximity to city amenities. This setting provides students with a supportive community environment that nurtures their development both academically and socially.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.6%
Math vs. State Avg+0.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)47%
vs. Expected-10.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment6.6Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,049

Paw Paw Middle School — Students at Paw Paw Middle School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 31.9%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 45.3%
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
39%
ELA
55%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
28.8%
ELA
43.9%

* 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 Paw Paw Middle School Compares

See how Paw Paw Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
21th percentile in MI
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
6.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

313 WEST MICHIGAN AVE, Paw Paw, MI 49079

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paw Paw Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mattawan Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Mattawan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Lawton Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Lawton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Paw Paw, see our Paw Paw schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Paw Paw Early Elementary School Paw Paw 0.5 mi 6.8
Paw Paw Later Elementary Paw Paw 0.6 mi 6.1
Communitybased Transition Center Lawrence 0.8 mi 8.7
ST MARY SCHOOL Paw Paw 0.8 mi 6.5
Cedar Street Community and Family Center Paw Paw 0.9 mi 6.0
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Paw Paw 1.1 mi 6.1
Paw Paw High School Paw Paw 2.6 mi 6.5
Lawton Elementary School Lawton 4.5 mi 7.1
Lawton Accelerated Academic Center Lawton 4.5 mi 5.2
Lawton Middle School Lawton 4.8 mi 5.0
Lawton High School Lawton 4.9 mi 6.3
Mattawan Later Elem School Mattawan 4.8 mi 6.9
Mattawan Early Elem School Mattawan 4.8 mi 5.5
Mattawan High School Mattawan 5.2 mi 6.6
Mattawan Middle School Mattawan 5.3 mi 6.2
Mattawan Early Childhood Education Center Mattawan 5.6 mi 7.6
Davis Elementary School Decatur 8.2 mi 7.6
Decatur Jr Sr High School Decatur 8.3 mi 4.8
Michigan Online School Gobles 10.0 mi 3.5
Bert Goens Learning Center Lawrence 7.6 mi 9.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49079 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$72,119

Median Home Value

$214,600

Median Rent

$841/mo

Population

13,364

College Educated

24.5%

Homeownership

77.5%

Avg Commute

24.5 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

38.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding Paw Paw Middle School has a median household income of $72,119. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $214,600, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Farwell Middle School Farwell, MI 5.1
Ida Middle School Ida, MI 5.1
John D Pierce Middle School Redford, MI 5.1
Marine City Middle School Marine City, MI 5.1
Marshall Greene Middle School Birch Run, MI 5.1
Mt Morris Middle School Mount Morris, MI 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paw Paw Middle School

What grades does Paw Paw Middle School serve?

Paw Paw Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Paw Paw Middle School?

Paw Paw Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 461 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paw Paw Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paw Paw Middle School is 15.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paw Paw Middle School rank in MI?

Paw Paw Middle School is ranked #2529 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Paw Paw Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paw Paw Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Paw Paw Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Paw Paw Middle School has 31.9% math proficiency and 45.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Paw Paw Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Paw Paw Middle School a Title I school?

No, Paw Paw Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Paw Paw Middle School?

43.2% of students at Paw Paw 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
High (4,885/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
461
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Van Buren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Paw Paw Public School District
District Enrollment
2,135
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,233
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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