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Average

#1308 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 41% in state

Portage Central Middle School

Middle School · Portage Public Schools

8305 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002

Enrollment

750

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#1,308 of 3,192

In Portage

#8 of 16

public schools

In district

#7 of 14

Portage Public Schools

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Portage Central Middle School

6.7/10

Middle School in Portage · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Portage Central High School

7.8/10

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 Middle School

Portage Central Middle School is a public middle school in Portage, MI, part of Portage Public Schools. Portage Central Middle School serves approximately 750 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Portage Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,308 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Portage Central Middle School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.8
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Portage Central Middle School runs 20.3:1 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-1.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.9Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.7% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency56.6% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg+17.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.5 pts
Overall Proficiency52% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)60% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile55th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,805
Chronic Absenteeism21.3%

Portage Central Middle School — Students at Portage Central Middle School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

23.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 54.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 67.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
45.4% (2022 EdFacts)

Based on 34 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
85%
ELA
92%
2010
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2011
Math
42%
ELA
75%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
49%
ELA
78%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
48%
ELA
61%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
63%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
63%
2020*
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
74%
2022
Math
46.9%
ELA
56.9%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Portage Central Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.7/10
59th percentile in MI
Academic
6.9/10
Average
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
23%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

Location

8305 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Portage Central Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Portage West Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Portage North Middle School (rated 6.2/10, 2.4 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 High School Portage 0.1 mi 7.8
Central Elementary School Portage 0.3 mi 5.9
Woodland Elementary School Portage 1.3 mi 6.8
ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage 1.6 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 2.4 mi 6.2
Oakland Academy Portage 2.3 mi 5.4
WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage 2.5 mi 7.7
Portage Northern High School Portage 2.6 mi 7.6
Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage 2.1 mi 7.4
Portage West Middle School Portage 2.2 mi 7.4
Amberly Elementary School Portage 2.4 mi 6.2
HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo 3.3 mi 8.4
Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo 3.3 mi 6.9
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo 3.5 mi 6.0
Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo 3.9 mi 2.4
Angling Road Elementary School Portage 3.6 mi 5.1
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
Anchor Bay Middle School South Chesterfield, MI 6.7
Crossroads Middle School Grand Rapids, MI 6.7
Davison Middle School Davison, MI 6.7
Holmes Middle School Livonia, MI 6.7
Kenneth T Beagle Middle School Grand Ledge, MI 6.7
Lowrey Middle School Dearborn, MI 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Portage Central Middle School

What grades does Portage Central Middle School serve?

Portage Central Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Portage Central Middle School?

Portage Central Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 750 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Portage Central Middle School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Portage Central Middle School rank in MI?

Portage Central Middle School ranks #1,308 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Portage Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Portage Central Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Portage Central Middle School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Portage Central Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Portage Central Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

23.1% of students at Portage Central 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

Walk Score
56 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
67 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Free/Reduced Lunch
23.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Kalamazoo County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.3%

District

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

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