Skip to main content

Average

#2397 of 3,190 schools in MI

Shelby Junior High School

Middle School · Utica Community Schools

51700 VAN DYKE AVE, Shelby Township, MI 48316

Enrollment

1,075

Student-Teacher

24.4:1

Score

5.3

Grades

7th – 9th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shelby Township

#10 of 12

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#354 of 497

In district

#30 of 37

Utica Community Schools

Equity

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Shelby Junior High School

Shelby Junior High School serves 1,075 students in grades 7-9 in Shelby Township, Michigan. This public middle school operates with 44 full-time equivalent teachers, creating a student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1. The school currently has a MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #3072 out of 3204 schools statewide, placing it in the 4th percentile among Michigan schools, indicating significant room for academic growth.

The school draws from a well-established suburban community where the median household income reaches $99,671 and the median home value is $351,800. The surrounding neighborhood demonstrates strong educational values, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a low poverty rate of just 5.1%. These community demographics suggest families who prioritize education and have resources to support student success.

Despite the current academic challenges reflected in the school's ranking, Shelby Junior High serves a sizable student body in what appears to be a stable, middle-class environment. The school's location on Van Dyke Avenue places it within a large suburban setting in Macomb County, where families benefit from the advantages of suburban living while remaining connected to the broader Detroit metropolitan area's educational and economic opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Shelby Junior High School is 24.4:1, 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 metrics
Student Progress5.0Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.51 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.9%
Math vs. State Avg+16.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+21.6 pts
Overall Proficiency54%
Expected (poverty-adj.)56%
vs. Expected-2.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment2.3Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,557

Shelby Junior High School — Students at Shelby Junior High School score 54% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

28.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 47.5%
School
State
33.9%
ELA Proficiency 61.2%
School
State
47.6%

Based on 10 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
55%
ELA
66%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
47.5%
ELA
60%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Shelby Junior High School Compares

See how Shelby Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
25th percentile in MI
Academic
7.7/10
7.7/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
2.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
29%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

51700 VAN DYKE AVE, Shelby Township, MI 48316

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shelby Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Eppler Junior High School (rated 6.9/10, 3.1 miles away, in nearby Utica), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Malow Junior High School (rated 5.7/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Shelby Township, see our Shelby Township schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Crissman Elementary School Shelby Township 1.0 mi 5.7
Issac Monfort Elementary School Shelby Township 0.9 mi 5.3
PEACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Shelby Township 1.2 mi 5.4
Morgan Elementary School Shelby Township 1.7 mi 5.7
Malow Junior High School Shelby Township 1.8 mi 5.7
Eisenhower High School Shelby Township 1.9 mi 6.2
Wiley Elementary School Shelby Township 2.3 mi 5.6
Utica High School Utica 2.3 mi 7.3
Switzer Elementary School Shelby Township 2.1 mi 6.3
Beacon Tree Elementary School Shelby Township 2.6 mi 6.6
Flickinger Elementary School Utica 3.0 mi 6.3
Eppler Junior High School Utica 3.1 mi 6.9
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Utica 3.2 mi 5.0
Washington Elementary School Washington 3.4 mi 5.0
West Utica Elementary School Shelby Township 3.3 mi 5.3
CHIQUITOS BILINGUAL MONTESSORI Utica 3.3 mi 8.0
Richard J Duncan Elementary Shelby Township 3.5 mi 6.7
Beck Centennial Elem School Macomb 3.2 mi 5.1
Dresden Elementary School Sterling Heights 4.2 mi 7.0
Roberts Elementary School Shelby Township 3.1 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48316 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$101,232

Median Home Value

$362,100

Median Rent

$1,380/mo

Population

28,355

College Educated

45.2%

Homeownership

80.2%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

5.1%

Median Age

46.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shelby Junior High School has a median household income of $101,232. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $362,100, with a median rent of $1,380/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 28 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
Brownstown Middle School Romulus, MI 5.3
Holt Junior High School Holt, MI 5.3
Muir Middle School Milford, MI 5.3
Richards Middle School Fraser, MI 5.3
Seneca Middle School Macomb, MI 5.3
Grissom Middle School Sterling Heights, MI 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shelby Junior High School

What grades does Shelby Junior High School serve?

Shelby Junior High School serves students in grades 7th through 9th.

How many students attend Shelby Junior High School?

Shelby Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,075 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Shelby Junior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Shelby Junior High School is 24.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shelby Junior High School rank in MI?

Shelby Junior High School is ranked #2397 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Shelby Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shelby Junior High School has a composite rating of 5.3 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 Shelby Junior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shelby Junior High School has 47.5% math proficiency and 61.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shelby Junior High School a charter school?

No, Shelby Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Shelby Junior High School a Title I school?

No, Shelby Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shelby Junior High School?

28.5% of students at Shelby Junior 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
44 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (704/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shelby Township). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 9th
Enrollment
1,075
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
28.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Macomb County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Utica Community Schools
District Enrollment
25,501
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,360
District Rank
#30 of 37

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 methodology

Related 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.