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Needs Improvement

#3181 of 3,190 schools in MI

Pennfield Senior High School

High School · Pennfield Schools

8587 PENNFIELD RD, Battle Creek, MI 49017

Enrollment

778

Student-Teacher

25.1:1

Score

2.8

Grades

8th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Battle Creek

#26 of 26

public schools

Michigan high schools

#809 of 812

In district

#5 of 5

Pennfield Schools

About Pennfield Senior High School

Pennfield Senior High School serves 778 students in grades 8 through 12 in rural Battle Creek, Michigan. As a public high school, it's one of the educational anchors in the area, with a student-teacher ratio of 25.1:1 across its 31 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is currently working with room for significant growth.

In reading and language arts, about 50% of students perform at or above proficiency levels. Mathematics performance presents a greater challenge, with approximately 24% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school's MySchoolScout academic score of 4.3/10 reflects these areas of focus, and it ranks in the lower percentile statewide, placing it among schools with meaningful opportunities for improvement.

For families considering Pennfield, it's worth noting that these academic metrics represent starting points rather than endpoints. Schools with these performance levels often benefit from direct parent engagement and support for student learning at home. The rural setting provides a quieter, community-oriented environment, which many families value for its close-knit atmosphere and smaller-town character.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Pennfield Senior High School is 25.1:1, 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.

Located in a rural area, Pennfield Senior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.6Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-7.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics4.9Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-7.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile31th
College Readiness2.3Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation3.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio25.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,288

Pennfield Senior High School — Students at Pennfield Senior High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 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
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Pennfield Senior High School Compares

See how Pennfield Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.8/10
0th percentile in MI
Academic
4.9/10
4.9/10
Growth
1.6/10
Below average
Environment
2.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
25:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

8587 PENNFIELD RD, Battle Creek, MI 49017

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pennfield Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST PHILIP CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek HS (rated 5.7/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, WK Kellogg Preparatory High School (rated 4.2/10, 4.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Battle Creek, see our Battle Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary Battle Creek 0.2 mi 5.2
Pennfield Middle School Battle Creek 0.3 mi 5.1
Pennfield Purdy School Battle Creek 2.1 mi 5.8
North Pennfield Elementary Battle Creek 2.5 mi 6.0
Verona Elementary School Battle Creek 2.9 mi 6.7
Doris Klaussen Dev Center Battle Creek 3.5 mi 8.3
Fremont International Academy Battle Creek 3.4 mi 7.8
ST PHILIP CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Battle Creek 4.1 mi 7.6
WK Kellogg Preparatory High School Battle Creek 4.1 mi 4.2
Battle Creek Central High School Battle Creek 4.1 mi 4.2
Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center Battle Creek 4.1 mi 7.2
Wattles Park Elementary School Battle Creek 4.6 mi 7.4
Battle Creek MathSci Center Battle Creek 4.2 mi
Ann J Kellogg School Battle Creek 4.2 mi 6.7
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek HS Battle Creek 4.5 mi 5.7
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS Battle Creek 4.5 mi 5.8
Post Franklin School Battle Creek 4.7 mi 6.4
Dudley School Battle Creek 4.0 mi 7.2
Northwestern Middle School Battle Creek 4.4 mi 6.6
BATTLE CREEK ACADEMY Battle Creek 4.4 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49017 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$58,500

Median Home Value

$134,800

Median Rent

$946/mo

Population

20,785

College Educated

20.4%

Homeownership

72.9%

Avg Commute

19.8 min

Poverty Rate

12.3%

Median Age

43.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pennfield Senior High School has a median household income of $58,500. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,800, with a median rent of $946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.3%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
Hudson Area JRSR High School Hudson, MI 2.6
Great Lakes Learning Academy MSHS East Lansing, MI 3.2
Oak Park High School Oak Park, MI 3.2
Bloomingdale Middle and High School Bloomingdale, MI 3.5
Union High School Grand Rapids, MI 3.6
Belding High School Belding, MI 3.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pennfield Senior High School

What grades does Pennfield Senior High School serve?

Pennfield Senior High School serves students in grades 8th through 12th.

How many students attend Pennfield Senior High School?

Pennfield Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 778 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pennfield Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pennfield Senior High School is 25.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pennfield Senior High School rank in MI?

Pennfield Senior High School is ranked #3181 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Pennfield Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pennfield Senior High School has a composite rating of 2.8 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 Pennfield Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pennfield Senior High School has 24.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pennfield Senior High School a charter school?

No, Pennfield Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pennfield Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Pennfield Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pennfield Senior High School?

59.0% of students at Pennfield Senior 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,679/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
8th – 12th
Enrollment
778
Student-Teacher Ratio
25.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Calhoun County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Pennfield Schools
District Enrollment
1,928
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,581
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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