Below Average
#2656 of 3,190 schools in MI
Shepherd Middle School
Middle School · Shepherd Public Schools
350 S Chippewa, Shepherd, MI 48883
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
387
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Shepherd
#4 of 4
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#416 of 497
In district
#5 of 5
Shepherd Public Schools
About Shepherd Middle School
Shepherd Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural community of Shepherd, Michigan. Serving students in grades six through eight, the school has an enrollment of 387 students and employs 21 full-time equivalent teachers. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.4:1, Shepherd Middle School aims to provide personalized attention to each student.
Shepherd Middle School’s academic performance reflects areas with room for growth, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and state ranking at #2026 out of 3204 schools in Michigan (37th percentile). In terms of proficiency rates, 44% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 33% meet the same standards in Math. Despite these numbers, the school continues to focus on student development and improvement.
Shepherd Middle School is nestled in a rural setting, offering its students a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between staff, students, and families.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Shepherd Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Shepherd Middle School — Students at Shepherd Middle School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
55.3%
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: 4.0/10.
How Shepherd Middle School Compares
See how Shepherd Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 31.65% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 43.32% (2022).
Location
350 S Chippewa, Shepherd, MI 48883
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shepherd Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mt Pleasant Middle School (rated 6.4/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Mt. Pleasant), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Donald L Pavlik Middle School (rated 5.0/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Alma), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shepherd, see our Shepherd schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Elementary School Shepherd | 0.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Shepherd High School Shepherd | 0.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Odyssey MiddleHigh School Mount Pleasant | 5.2 mi | 6.6 |
| SAGINAW CHIPPEWA ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 5.7 mi | 7.2 |
| WAY Oasis Mount Pleasant | 5.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Isabella Day Treatment Mount Pleasant | 5.7 mi | — |
| Renaissance Public School Academy Mount Pleasant | 6.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Mt Pleasant Senior High School Mount Pleasant | 6.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Mary McGuire School Mount Pleasant | 6.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Pullen Elementary School Mount Pleasant | 6.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Fancher School Mount Pleasant | 6.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Vowles School Mount Pleasant | 6.6 mi | 7.3 |
| SACRED HEART ACADEMY Mount Pleasant | 7.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Donald L Pavlik Middle School Alma | 8.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Ganiard School Mount Pleasant | 7.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Carrie Knause Early Childhood Learning Center Saint Louis | 8.3 mi | 6.3 |
| Alma Senior High School Alma | 9.1 mi | 6.7 |
| GIRESD Center Programs Ithaca | 9.1 mi | 6.8 |
| Mt Pleasant Middle School Mt. Pleasant | 7.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Pine Avenue Elementary School Alma | 9.4 mi | 7.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 48883 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$66,364
Median Home Value
$154,600
Median Rent
$841/mo
Population
6,755
College Educated
21.6%
Homeownership
88.3%
Avg Commute
22.7 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
41.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shepherd Middle School has a median household income of $66,364. It is a community where 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,600, with a median rent of $841/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| Burton Middle School Grand Rapids, MI | 4.9 |
| Carson CityCrystal Upper ElementaryMiddle School Carson City, MI | 4.9 |
| Dundee Middle School Dundee, MI | 4.9 |
| Eastpointe Middle School Eastpointe, MI | 4.9 |
| Fennville Middle School Fennville, MI | 4.9 |
| Hartford Middle School Hartford, MI | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shepherd Middle School
What grades does Shepherd Middle School serve?
Shepherd Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Shepherd Middle School?
Shepherd Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 387 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shepherd Middle School is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shepherd Middle School rank in MI?
Shepherd Middle School is ranked #2656 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Shepherd Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shepherd Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Shepherd Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shepherd Middle School has 32.8% math proficiency and 44.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Shepherd Middle School a charter school?
No, Shepherd Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shepherd Middle School a Title I school?
No, Shepherd Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shepherd Middle School?
55.3% of students at Shepherd 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
- Average (664/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Shepherd). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 387
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 55.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Isabella County
- Phone
- (989) 828-6601
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Shepherd Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 1,768
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,837
- District Rank
- #5 of 5
Other Schools in This District
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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