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Very Good

#1056 of 3,190 schools in MI

Top 33% 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

7.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Portage

#4 of 15

public schools

Michigan high schools

#196 of 812

In district

#3 of 14

Portage Public Schools

Equity

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Portage Central High School

Portage Central High School serves 1,385 students in grades 9-12 in Portage, Michigan, a community in Kalamazoo County. With 64 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.6 to 1, providing a substantial high school environment for its sizable student body. The school currently ranks in the 11th percentile statewide, placing at #2855 out of 3,204 Michigan high schools with a MySchoolScout rating of 3.8 out of 10.

While these rankings indicate significant room for academic growth, the school continues to serve its diverse student population as they work toward graduation and post-secondary goals. Portage Central draws from a stable community where the median household income reaches $68,498 and home values average $195,900. The surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong educational values, with 41% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 7.4%.

This suggests families in the area prioritize education and maintain economic stability. Located on South Westnedge Avenue, Portage Central High School sits in a small city setting that offers students both community connection and access to broader educational and cultural opportunities in the greater Kalamazoo area.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Portage Central High School is 21.6:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.5Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.5Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53%
Reading/ELA Proficiency76%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
College Readiness9.6Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.9%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,521

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 57.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 76.5%
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
61%
ELA
77%
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: 5.5/10.

How Portage Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.0/10
67th percentile in MI
Academic
8.5/10
8.5/10
Growth
5.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
15%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
64 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
8.9% participation·34 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · 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 notably higher. Another option is Portage Community High School (rated 7.5/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Portage Northern High School (rated 6.6/10, 2.6 miles away), 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 5.9
Central Elementary School Portage 0.3 mi 4.8
Woodland Elementary School Portage 1.3 mi 4.9
ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage 1.7 mi 6.4
Haverhill Elementary School Portage 1.9 mi 5.2
Lake Center Elementary School Portage 2.1 mi 4.2
Portage Community High School Portage 2.4 mi 7.5
Portage North Middle School Portage 2.5 mi 4.7
WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage 2.5 mi 7.2
Oakland Academy Portage 2.3 mi 8.1
Portage Northern High School Portage 2.6 mi 6.6
Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage 2.2 mi 5.9
Portage West Middle School Portage 2.3 mi 5.7
Amberly Elementary School Portage 2.4 mi 6.5
Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo 3.2 mi 6.5
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 3.3
KALAMAZOO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Portage 3.4 mi 7.9
Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program Kalamazoo 4.1 mi 6.5

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 Portage Central High 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
Jenison High School Jenison, MI 7.0
Plymouth High School Canton, MI 7.0
Rochester Adams High School Rochester Hills, MI 7.0
St Joseph High School Saint Joseph, MI 7.0
Byron Center High School Byron Center, MI 7.1
Eastern High School Lansing, MI 6.9

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 is ranked #1056 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Portage Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Portage Central High School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Portage Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portage Central High School has 57.0% math proficiency and 76.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (3,264/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Portage Public Schools
District Enrollment
8,514
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,805
District Rank
#3 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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