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
Enrollment
778
Student-Teacher
25.1:1
Score
2.8
Grades
8th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Pennfield Senior High School — Students at Pennfield Senior High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 1.6/10.
How Pennfield Senior High School Compares
See how Pennfield Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 17% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (269) 961-9770
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Pennfield Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,928
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,581
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
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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