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Very Good

#617 of 3,192 schools in MI

Top 19% 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

7.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#617 of 3,192

In Portage

#3 of 16

public schools

In district

#2 of 14

Portage Public Schools

Equity

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Portage Northern High School

7.6/10

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

Portage North Middle School

6.2/10

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

Portage Community High School

6.5/10

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

About Portage Northern High School

Portage Northern High School is a public high school in Portage, MI, part of Portage Public Schools. Portage Northern High School serves approximately 1,218 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 19.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Portage Northern High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #617 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Portage Northern High School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 7.6 · Very Good
  • District avg 7.3
  • MI avg 6.5

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data13
Annual Change-1.46 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics8.4Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2021 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency71% (2021 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency58% (2021 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)55% (model expectation from 2021 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile76th
College Readiness8.3Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%
AP Participation4.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,805
Chronic Absenteeism24.9%

Portage Northern High School — Students at Portage Northern High School score 58% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 55%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 47.5% (multi-year average, 2009-2021)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 68.5% (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
71%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
63%
ELA
81%
2011
Math
41%
ELA
69%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
45%
ELA
72%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
78%
2016
Math
52%
ELA
77%
2017
Math
0.5%
ELA
0.5%
2018
Math
56%
ELA
76%
2019
Math
56%
ELA
76%
2020*
Math
45%
ELA
71%
2021*
Math
45%
ELA
71%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Portage Northern High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
81th percentile in MI
Academic
8.4/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.5
Sports
25
13 boys' · 12 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
30%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
24.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered IB Programme
4.3% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·31 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics25sports offered
13 boys'·12 girls'·45 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

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 slightly higher. Another option is Loy Norrix High School (rated 6.9/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Kalamazoo), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Portage Community High School (rated 6.5/10, 0.2 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 6.2
Portage Community High School Portage 0.2 mi 6.5
HACKETT CATHOLIC PREP Kalamazoo 0.8 mi 8.4
Oakland Academy Portage 0.9 mi 5.4
Haverhill Elementary School Portage 1.1 mi 5.3
Paramount Charter Academy Kalamazoo 1.5 mi 2.4
PROVIDENCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kalamazoo 1.4 mi 6.0
Woodland Elementary School Portage 1.6 mi 6.8
ST MICHAEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Portage 1.7 mi 6.4
Kalamazoo Innovative Learning Program Kalamazoo 1.7 mi 5.6
Amberly Elementary School Portage 1.5 mi 6.2
Woods Lake ElementaryA Magnet Center For The Arts Kalamazoo 1.8 mi 5.5
WoodsEdge Learning Center Portage 1.5 mi 7.7
Angling Road Elementary School Portage 1.6 mi 5.1
Loy Norrix High School Kalamazoo 1.6 mi 6.9
GAGIE SCHOOL Kalamazoo 2.0 mi 7.8
Portage West Middle School Portage 2.1 mi 7.4
Moorsbridge Elementary School Portage 2.1 mi 7.4
ParkwoodUpjohn Elementary School Kalamazoo 2.4 mi 6.8
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Caledonia High School Caledonia, MI 7.6
Cedar Springs High School Cedar Springs, MI 7.6
Edwardsburg High School Edwardsburg, MI 7.6
Lakeshore High School Stevensville, MI 7.6
Milford High School Highland, MI 7.6
Oxford High School Oxford, MI 7.6

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 ranks #617 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Portage Northern High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Portage Northern High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Northern High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Portage Northern High School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 69% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
24.9%
4-Year Graduation
95.0%

District

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

How we rate schools

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