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Very Good

#482 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 15% in state

Portage Central High School

High School · Portage Public Schools

8135 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002

Enrollment

1,385

Student-Teacher

21.6:1

Score

7.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#482 of 3,192

In Portage

#1 of 16

public schools

In district

#1 of 14

Portage Public Schools

Equity

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Portage Central High School

7.8/10

High School in Portage · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Portage Central Middle School

6.7/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Central Elementary School

5.9/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Portage Central High School

Portage Central High School is a public high school in Portage, MI, part of Portage Public Schools. Portage Central High School serves approximately 1,385 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 21.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Portage Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10 and ranks #482 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Portage Central High School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.8 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • MI avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

Portage Central High School runs 21.6:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.31 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency76% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency65% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)65% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-0.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness8.7Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate96%
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,805
Chronic Absenteeism13.7%

Portage Central High School — Students at Portage Central High School score 64% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

14.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 51.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 69.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A

Based on 26 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
75%
ELA
84%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
47%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
64%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
56%
ELA
81%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
0.5%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
77%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
77%
2020*
Math
53%
ELA
76%
2021*
Math
53%
ELA
76%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How Portage Central High School Compares

See how Portage Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.8/10
85th percentile in MI
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
8.5/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.5
Sports
29
15 boys' · 14 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
13.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
8.9% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·34 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics29sports offered
15 boys'·14 girls'·52 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

8135 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Portage Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP (rated 8.4/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Portage Northern High School (rated 7.6/10, 2.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Loy Norrix High School (rated 6.9/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Portage Central Middle School Portage 0.1 mi 6.7
Central Elementary School Portage 0.3 mi 5.9
Woodland Elementary School Portage 1.3 mi 6.8
ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage 1.7 mi 6.4
Haverhill Elementary School Portage 1.9 mi 5.3
Lake Center Elementary School Portage 2.1 mi 6.5
Portage Community High School Portage 2.4 mi 6.5
Portage North Middle School Portage 2.5 mi 6.2
WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage 2.5 mi 7.7
Oakland Academy Portage 2.3 mi 5.4
Portage Northern High School Portage 2.6 mi 7.6
Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage 2.2 mi 7.4
Portage West Middle School Portage 2.3 mi 7.4
Amberly Elementary School Portage 2.4 mi 6.2
Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo 3.2 mi 6.9
HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo 3.3 mi 8.4
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo 3.5 mi 6.0
Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo 3.9 mi 2.4
KALAMAZOO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Portage 3.4 mi 7.9
Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program Kalamazoo 4.1 mi 5.6

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bedford Senior High School Temperance, MI 7.8
North Farmington High School Farmington Hills, MI 7.8
Trenton High School Trenton, MI 7.8
Walled Lake Central High School Commerce Township, MI 7.8
Walled Lake Northern High School Commerce Twp, MI 7.8
East Lansing High School East Lansing, MI 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Portage Central High School

What grades does Portage Central High School serve?

Portage Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Portage Central High School?

Portage Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,385 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Portage Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Portage Central High School is 21.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Portage Central High School rank in MI?

Portage Central High School ranks #482 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Portage Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Portage Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Portage Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Portage Central High School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

Is Portage Central High School a charter school?

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

Is Portage Central High School a Title I school?

No, Portage Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portage Central High School?

14.8% of students at Portage Central 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

Walk Score
46 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
61 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,385
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
64
Free/Reduced Lunch
14.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kalamazoo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
13.7%
4-Year Graduation
96.0%

District

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

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