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Average

#2270 of 3,192 schools in MI

Ring Lardner Middle School

Middle School · Niles Community Schools

801 NORTH 17TH ST, Niles, MI 49120

Enrollment

537

Student-Teacher

19.2:1

Score

5.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan schools

#2,270 of 3,192

In Niles

#8 of 13

public schools

In district

#5 of 8

Niles Community Schools

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Ring Lardner Middle School

5.4/10

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

Niles Senior High School

6.6/10

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

Eastside Connections School

8.4/10

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

About Ring Lardner Middle School

Ring Lardner Middle School is a public middle school in Niles, MI, part of Niles Community Schools. Ring Lardner Middle School serves approximately 537 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ring Lardner Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,270 of 3,192 schools in MI.

Structured state assessment records for Ring Lardner Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares0.5 pts below MI schools
  • This school 5.4 · Average
  • MI avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

30% of students at Ring Lardner Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-3.33 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.3% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency39.1% (2022 EdFacts)
Math vs. State Avg-0.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+1.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile51th
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,405
Chronic Absenteeism30.4%

Ring Lardner Middle School — Students at Ring Lardner Middle School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
32.1% (2022 EdFacts)
ELA Proficiency 53.1% (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
86%
ELA
86%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
84%
2011
Math
39%
ELA
58%
2012
Math
33%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
33%
ELA
66%
2014
Math
48%
ELA
65%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
53%
2016
Math
31%
ELA
48%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
49%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
49%
2020*
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
28.6%
ELA
38.8%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Ring Lardner Middle School Compares

See how Ring Lardner Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
29th percentile in MI
Academic
6.6/10
Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
4.5/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
68%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

Location

801 NORTH 17TH ST, Niles, MI 49120

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ring Lardner Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eastside Connections School (rated 8.4/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brandywine Senior High School (rated 7.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Niles, see our Niles schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Niles Senior High School Niles 0.3 mi 6.6
Eastside Connections School Niles 0.5 mi 8.4
Niles Cedar Lane Niles 0.9 mi 5.9
WAY Niles Niles 0.9 mi 6.0
Niles Virtual School Niles 0.9 mi
Southside Special Educ School Niles 1.2 mi 4.5
Niles Comm Schools Adult Education Niles 1.0 mi
Northside Child Development Center Niles 1.2 mi
ST MARY SCHOOL Niles 1.7 mi 7.9
Brandywine Middle School Niles 2.4 mi 5.7
Brandywine Senior High School Niles 2.5 mi 7.8
NILES ADVENTIST SCHOOL Niles 2.0 mi 6.4
Brandywine Innovation Academy Niles 2.7 mi 5.2
Ballard Elementary School Niles 2.8 mi 5.0
Brandywine Elementary School Niles 3.8 mi 5.2
Merritt Elementary School Niles 4.0 mi 6.7
HowardEllis Elementary School Niles 3.5 mi 5.3
Clay High School South Bend 7.1 mi 5.3
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL South Bend 7.3 mi 5.6
Darden Elementary School South Bend 7.4 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49120 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,940

Median Home Value

$166,800

Median Rent

$911/mo

Population

36,652

College Educated

20.5%

Homeownership

78.5%

Avg Commute

23.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.5%

Median Age

43

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Armstrong Middle School Flint, MI 5.4
Baseline Middle School South Haven, MI 5.4
Cramer Junior High School Essexville, MI 5.4
CroswellLexington Middle School Croswell, MI 5.4
Eaton Rapids Middle School Eaton Rapids, MI 5.4
Emerson Middle School Livonia, MI 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ring Lardner Middle School

What grades does Ring Lardner Middle School serve?

Ring Lardner Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Ring Lardner Middle School?

Ring Lardner Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 537 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ring Lardner Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ring Lardner Middle School is 19.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ring Lardner Middle School rank in MI?

Ring Lardner Middle School ranks #2,270 of 3,192 schools in MI.

What is Ring Lardner Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ring Lardner Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 Ring Lardner Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ring Lardner Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Ring Lardner Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Ring Lardner Middle School a Title I school?

No, Ring Lardner Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ring Lardner Middle School?

68.2% of students at Ring Lardner 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
40 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
537
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
28
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Berrien County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

District

Niles Community Schools
District Enrollment
3,327
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,405
District Rank
#5 of 8

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