Average
#1385 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 43% in state
Portage Northern High School
High School · Portage Public Schools
1000 IDAHO AVE, Portage, MI 49024
Enrollment
1,218
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,218
Student-Teacher
19.6:1
Score
6.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Portage
#5 of 15
public schools
Michigan high schools
#273 of 812
In district
#4 of 14
Portage Public Schools
Equity
8.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Portage Northern High School
Portage Northern High School serves 1,218 students in grades 9-12 in Portage, Michigan, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1 and 62 full-time equivalent teachers. As a regular public school in the Kalamazoo County area, Northern High is working to strengthen its academic outcomes, currently ranking in the 20th percentile among Michigan high schools with room for continued growth and improvement. The school draws from a stable, educated community where 51% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, reflecting families who value education and are invested in their children's success.
With a median household income of $78,666 and a relatively low poverty rate of 8.1%, the surrounding neighborhood provides a supportive environment for students and families. Located at 1000 Idaho Avenue, the school benefits from Portage's small city atmosphere, which combines suburban amenities with a close-knit community feel. The area's median home value of $230,900 indicates a well-established residential community, while the ZIP code's population of over 30,000 provides students with both stability and opportunities for engagement.
Portage Northern High School operates within this thriving Michigan community that balances educational aspirations with the advantages of small city living.
Score Breakdown
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Portage Northern High School — Students at Portage Northern High School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
30.1%
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: 3.3/10.
How Portage Northern High School Compares
See how Portage Northern High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 56% (2019) to 45% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 76% (2019) to 71% (2021).
Location
1000 IDAHO AVE, Portage, MI 49024
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Portage Northern High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP (rated 8.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), which scores notably higher. Another option is Portage Community High School (rated 7.5/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program (rated 6.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Portage, see our Portage schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Portage North Middle School Portage | 0.2 mi | 4.7 |
| Portage Community High School Portage | 0.2 mi | 7.5 |
| HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo | 0.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Oakland Academy Portage | 0.9 mi | 8.1 |
| Haverhill Elementary School Portage | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo | 1.5 mi | 3.3 |
| PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 1.4 mi | 6.0 |
| Woodland Elementary School Portage | 1.6 mi | 4.9 |
| ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage | 1.7 mi | 6.4 |
| Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program Kalamazoo | 1.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Amberly Elementary School Portage | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| Woods Lake ElementaryA Magnet Center For The Arts Kalamazoo | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage | 1.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Angling Road Elementary School Portage | 1.6 mi | 7.2 |
| Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo | 1.6 mi | 6.5 |
| GAGIE SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Portage West Middle School Portage | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage | 2.1 mi | 5.9 |
| ParkwoodUpjohn Elementary School Kalamazoo | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| KAZOO SCHOOL Kalamazoo | 2.5 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$86,427
Median Home Value
$248,700
Median Rent
$1,208/mo
Population
30,937
College Educated
51.4%
Homeownership
67.3%
Avg Commute
19.9 min
Poverty Rate
7.4%
Median Age
36.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Portage Northern High School has a median household income of $86,427. It is a well-educated community where 51% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $1,208/month. The local poverty rate of 7.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| DIVINE CHILD HIGH SCHOOL Dearborn, MI | 6.6 |
| Hartland High School Hartland, MI | 6.6 |
| Lakeview High School Battle Creek, MI | 6.6 |
| Lowell Senior High School Lowell, MI | 6.6 |
| Mason High School Mason, MI | 6.6 |
| Mattawan High School Mattawan, MI | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Portage Northern High School
What grades does Portage Northern High School serve?
Portage Northern High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Portage Northern High School?
Portage Northern High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,218 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Portage Northern High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Portage Northern High School is 19.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Portage Northern High School rank in MI?
Portage Northern High School is ranked #1385 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Portage Northern High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Portage Northern High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Northern High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Portage Northern High School has 50.5% math proficiency and 73.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Portage Northern High School a charter school?
No, Portage Northern High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Portage Northern High School a Title I school?
No, Portage Northern High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Portage Northern High School?
30.1% of students at Portage Northern 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Portage). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,218
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 62
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 30.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Kalamazoo County
- Phone
- (616) 323-5400
- 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
- #4 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
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