Average
#2560 of 3,190 schools in MI
Thunder Bay Junior High School
Middle School · Alpena Public Schools
3500 SOUTH THIRD AVE, Alpena, MI 49707
Enrollment
803
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
803
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
5.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Alpena
#7 of 8
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#392 of 497
In district
#8 of 9
Alpena Public Schools
About Thunder Bay Junior High School
Thunder Bay Junior High School serves grades 6 through 8 in Alpena, a remote town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The school educates 803 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1 and a full-time teaching staff of 50. Academically, Thunder Bay is working to strengthen student achievement across core subjects.
Currently, 37% of students score proficient or above in English language arts, while 22% meet proficiency benchmarks in math. These results indicate the school has significant room for academic growth and improvement in student performance. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 reflects these challenges, and it ranks in the 18th percentile statewide among Michigan's 3,204 schools.
As a regular public middle school, Thunder Bay serves as an important educational anchor for the Alpena community. For families researching schools in this remote area, it's worth noting the specific proficiency data to understand where academic support might be needed for students. Parents considering Thunder Bay may want to explore what academic programs and interventions the school offers to help students progress, and to connect with school staff about personalized learning approaches for their children.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Thunder Bay Junior High School — Students at Thunder Bay Junior High School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.5%
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: 3.8/10.
How Thunder Bay Junior High School Compares
See how Thunder Bay Junior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 20.26% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 44% (2019) to 35.02% (2022).
Location
3500 SOUTH THIRD AVE, Alpena, MI 49707
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thunder Bay Junior High School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Sanborn Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 10.9 miles away, in nearby Ossineke), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hillman Community JrSr High School (rated 7.6/10, 20.8 miles away, in nearby Hillman), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ella M White Elementary (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Alpena, see our Alpena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 30.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ACES Academy Alpena | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Alpena High School Alpena | 0.5 mi | 4.8 |
| Ella M White Elementary Alpena | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| IMMANUEL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Alpena | 2.3 mi | 4.2 |
| Besser Elementary School Alpena | 2.4 mi | 6.6 |
| Pied Piper School Alpena | 2.6 mi | 6.6 |
| Lincoln Elementary Alpena | 2.6 mi | 7.0 |
| ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Alpena | 2.6 mi | 3.9 |
| Hinks Elementary Alpena | 7.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Sanborn Elementary Ossineke | 10.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Wilson Elementary Herron | 8.9 mi | 5.0 |
| Posen Consolidated High School Posen | 18.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Posen Elementary School Posen | 18.2 mi | 3.8 |
| Alcona Elementary School Harrisville | 27.5 mi | 4.6 |
| Alcona Community High School Harrisville | 27.8 mi | 7.0 |
| Hillman Elementary School Hillman | 20.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Hillman Community JrSr High School Hillman | 20.8 mi | 7.6 |
| ST IGNATIUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Rogers City | 29.5 mi | 5.9 |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN SCHOOL Rogers City | 30.0 mi | 4.8 |
| Rogers City Elementary School Rogers City | 30.0 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49707 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$50,699
Median Home Value
$134,900
Median Rent
$642/mo
Population
22,050
College Educated
18.6%
Homeownership
76.4%
Avg Commute
15.6 min
Poverty Rate
18.5%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thunder Bay Junior High School has a median household income of $50,699. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $134,900, with a median rent of $642/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 16 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 |
|---|---|
| Adlai Stevenson Middle School Westland, MI | 5.0 |
| Armstrong Middle School Flint, MI | 5.0 |
| Harper Creek Middle School Battle Creek, MI | 5.0 |
| Cesar Chavez Middle School Detroit, MI | 4.9 |
| Clio Middle School Clio, MI | 4.9 |
| Dundee Middle School Dundee, MI | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thunder Bay Junior High School
What grades does Thunder Bay Junior High School serve?
Thunder Bay Junior High School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Thunder Bay Junior High School?
Thunder Bay Junior High School has an enrollment of approximately 803 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thunder Bay Junior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thunder Bay Junior High School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thunder Bay Junior High School rank in MI?
Thunder Bay Junior High School is ranked #2560 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Thunder Bay Junior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thunder Bay Junior High School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Thunder Bay Junior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thunder Bay Junior High School has 22.4% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Thunder Bay Junior High School a charter school?
No, Thunder Bay Junior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thunder Bay Junior High School a Title I school?
No, Thunder Bay Junior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thunder Bay Junior High School?
68.5% of students at Thunder Bay 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,533/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Alpena). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 803
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 50
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Town
- County
- Alpena County
- Phone
- (989) 358-5400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Alpena Public Schools- District Enrollment
- 3,626
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,611
- District Rank
- #8 of 9
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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