Average
#1968 of 3,190 schools in MI
Portage Central Middle School
Middle School · Portage Public Schools
8305 SOUTH WESTNEDGE AVE, Portage, MI 49002
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
750
Student-Teacher
20.3:1
Score
5.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portage
#8 of 15
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#268 of 497
In district
#7 of 14
Portage Public Schools
Equity
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Portage Central Middle School
Portage Central Middle School serves students in grades 6 through 8 in Portage, a small city in Kalamazoo County. The school educates 750 students with a student-teacher ratio of 20.3 to 1, supported by 37 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school ranks in the 68th percentile statewide (#1041 out of 3,204 Michigan schools), with a MySchoolScout rating of 6.4 out of 10.
In reading and language arts, 61% of students score at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics shows room for growth with 50% of students meeting proficiency benchmarks. The school's academic score of 7.9 out of 10 reflects solid fundamentals, though students in both core subjects would benefit from additional support to strengthen overall performance. With an enrollment of 750 students, Portage Central offers a middle-sized middle school environment—large enough to provide diverse course offerings and activities, yet manageable enough for meaningful student-teacher connections.
The school's location on South Westnedge Avenue places it within the Portage community, serving families in this small city setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Portage Central Middle School is 20.3:1, 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Portage Central Middle School — Students at Portage Central Middle School score 52% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 60%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
23.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 12 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: 6.5/10.
How Portage Central Middle School Compares
See how Portage Central Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 46.68% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 56.58% (2022).
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 5.7/10, 2.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Portage North Middle School (rated 4.7/10, 2.4 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 7.0 |
| Central Elementary School Portage | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| Woodland Elementary School Portage | 1.3 mi | 4.9 |
| ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage | 1.6 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 | 2.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Oakland Academy Portage | 2.3 mi | 8.1 |
| WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage | 2.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Portage Northern High School Portage | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Portage West Middle School Portage | 2.2 mi | 5.7 |
| Amberly Elementary School Portage | 2.4 mi | 6.5 |
| HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo | 3.3 mi | 8.4 |
| Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo | 3.3 mi | 6.5 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo | 3.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Angling Road Elementary School Portage | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Bemis Junior High School Sterling Heights, MI | 5.9 |
| Cooper Upper Elementary School Westland, MI | 5.9 |
| East Middle School Traverse City, MI | 5.9 |
| Ferndale Middle School Ferndale, MI | 5.9 |
| Grand Blanc Middle School East Grand Blanc, MI | 5.9 |
| MacDonald Middle School East Lansing, MI | 5.9 |
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 is ranked #1968 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Portage Central Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Portage Central Middle School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portage Central Middle School has 50.1% math proficiency and 60.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (3,264/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (269) 323-5600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Portage Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 8,514
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,805
- District Rank
- #7 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 methodologyRelated reading
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.