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Below Average

#2863 of 3,190 schools in MI

Sparta Middle School

Middle School · Sparta Area Schools

235 E Spartan Dr, Sparta, MI 49345

Enrollment

490

Student-Teacher

19.6:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Michigan middle schools

#455 of 497

In district

#4 of 4

Sparta Area Schools

About Sparta Middle School

Sparta Middle School, located in the heart of Sparta, Michigan, is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 490 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to help each student succeed. The campus sits on East Spartan Drive in a town that lies on the outskirts of an urban area, providing a comfortable yet accessible setting for learning.

Sparta Middle School has been rated at 4.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 35th percentile among Michigan schools, placing it at number 2081 out of 3204 total schools in the state. Academically, the school shows that 47% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while 33% meet proficiency standards in Math. These numbers indicate areas for improvement and growth within the curriculum.

Sparta Middle School is nestled in a community where students benefit from both small-town charm and proximity to urban amenities.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.0Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.36 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30.7%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Math vs. State Avg+1.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency38%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment4.3Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,101

Sparta Middle School — Students at Sparta Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

50.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.9%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 47.2%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 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
48%
ELA
53%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
48%
2022
Math
30.4%
ELA
45.5%

* 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: 3.0/10.

How Sparta Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
10th percentile in MI
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
3.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
51%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

235 E Spartan Dr, Sparta, MI 49345

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sparta Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Mill Creek Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Comstock Park), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kent City Middle School (rated 4.5/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Kent City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sparta, see our Sparta schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Appleview Elementary School Sparta 0.2 mi 6.0
Ridgeview Elementary School Sparta 0.5 mi 7.2
Sparta Senior High School Sparta 0.7 mi 5.1
ALGOMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Kent City 5.4 mi 5.4
Kent City Elementary School Kent City 5.4 mi 5.6
Kent City Middle School Kent City 5.7 mi 4.5
Pine Island Elementary Comstock Park 5.7 mi 7.3
Kent City High School Kent City 5.8 mi 3.2
Kent City Virtual Academy Kent City 5.8 mi
Chandler Woods Charter Academy Belmont 5.7 mi 7.7
HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Comstock Park 6.9 mi 7.1
Alpine Elementary School Comstock Park 7.0 mi 7.6
Comstock Park High School Comstock Park 6.9 mi 5.5
Comstock Park Flex Academy Comstock Park 6.9 mi 4.9
Stoney Creek Elementary Comstock Park 7.3 mi 7.3
DIVINE PROVIDENCE ACADEMY AT ST. JOSEPH Conklin 6.0 mi 6.6
ASSUMPTION BVM SCHOOL Belmont 6.8 mi 5.5
Mill Creek Middle School Comstock Park 8.1 mi 7.5
Belmont Elementary School Belmont 7.1 mi 7.6
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL Conklin 6.2 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49345 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$84,918

Median Home Value

$261,400

Median Rent

$968/mo

Population

13,189

College Educated

28.2%

Homeownership

84.6%

Avg Commute

25.2 min

Poverty Rate

6.7%

Median Age

40.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sparta Middle School has a median household income of $84,918. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $261,400, with a median rent of $968/month. The local poverty rate of 6.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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
Emerson Middle School Livonia, MI 4.6
Gladwin Junior High School Gladwin, MI 4.6
Hopkins Middle School Hopkins, MI 4.6
Lake Fenton Middle School Fenton, MI 4.4
Milan Middle School Milan, MI 4.6
Sault Area Middle School Sault Sainte Marie, MI 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sparta Middle School

What grades does Sparta Middle School serve?

Sparta Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Sparta Middle School?

Sparta Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 490 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sparta Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sparta Middle 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 Sparta Middle School rank in MI?

Sparta Middle School is ranked #2863 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Sparta Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sparta Middle School has a composite rating of 4.5 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 Sparta Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sparta Middle School has 32.9% math proficiency and 47.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sparta Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Sparta Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

50.6% of students at Sparta 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

City Safety
Elevated (958/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
50.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Kent County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Sparta Area Schools
District Enrollment
2,413
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,808
District Rank
#4 of 4

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

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