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#1731 of 3,190 schools in MI

Tri County Middle School

Middle School · Tri County Area Schools

21350 KENDAVILLE RD, Howard City, MI 49329

Enrollment

369

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Howard City

#1 of 2

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#223 of 497

In district

#2 of 3

Tri County Area Schools

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Tri County Middle School

Tri County Middle School is a regular public middle school located in the rural setting of Howard City, Michigan. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, Tri County Middle School has an enrollment of 369 students and maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.6:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance is currently at the 34th percentile in Michigan, ranking it #2132 out of 3204 schools state-wide.

The MySchoolScout rating for Tri County Middle School stands at 4.5/10, reflecting areas with room for improvement in both ELA and math proficiency rates, where only 37% and 25% of students are proficient or above respectively. Tri County Middle School is situated in a rural area that offers a close-knit community environment. While the school has areas to improve academically, it provides a supportive setting for middle schoolers as they navigate their educational journey.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Tri County 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 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.99 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics5.4Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25.3%
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.1%
Math vs. State Avg-3.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-2.9 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-5.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
Resources & Environment5.8Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,954

Tri County Middle School — Students at Tri County Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.5%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 36.5%
School
State
45.2%

Based on 12 test records from MI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
25.3%
ELA
35.3%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Tri County Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
46th percentile in MI
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
5.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

Location

21350 KENDAVILLE RD, Howard City, MI 49329

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Tri County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Morley Stanwood Middle School (rated 7.4/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Morley), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lakeview Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 12.7 miles away, in nearby Lakeview), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Cedar Springs Middle School (rated 5.6/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Cedar Springs), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Howard City, see our Howard City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Tri County Senior High School Howard City 0.2 mi 6.1
Tri County Elementary School Pierson 0.2 mi 8.2
Creative Technologies Academy Cedar Springs 10.1 mi 4.1
New Beginnings Alternative High School Cedar Springs 10.5 mi 5.2
Cedar Springs High School Cedar Springs 10.5 mi 6.5
Red Hawk Intermediate Cedar Springs 10.5 mi 4.6
Beach Elementary School Cedar Springs 10.6 mi 5.4
Cedar View Elementary School Cedar Springs 10.7 mi 5.8
Cedar Trails Elementary School Cedar Springs 10.7 mi 7.3
Cedar Springs Middle School Cedar Springs 11.3 mi 5.6
Morley Stanwood Middle School Morley 12.1 mi 7.4
Morley Stanwood High School Morley 12.1 mi 6.5
Morley Stanwood Elementary School Morley 12.2 mi 5.0
GRANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Grant 11.2 mi 5.2
Lincoln Heights Elem School Greenville 14.5 mi 8.3
Lakeview High School Lakeview 12.4 mi 5.5
Lakeview Middle School Lakeview 12.7 mi 7.0
Lakeview Elementary School Lakeview 12.7 mi 7.5
River Valley Academy Rockford 16.8 mi 6.1
Valley View Elementary School Rockford 16.8 mi 8.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 49329 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$71,585

Median Home Value

$190,900

Median Rent

$870/mo

Population

9,030

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

88%

Avg Commute

34.9 min

Poverty Rate

8.7%

Median Age

37.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Tri County Middle School has a median household income of $71,585. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $190,900, with a median rent of $870/month. The local poverty rate of 8.7% is relatively low. The average commute in the area is 35 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clare Middle School Clare, MI 6.2
Fair Plain Middle School Benton Harbor, MI 6.2
Gladstone Area Middle School Gladstone, MI 6.2
Grant Middle School Grant, MI 6.2
Imlay City Middle School Imlay City, MI 6.2
Lee Middle School Wyoming, MI 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Tri County Middle School

What grades does Tri County Middle School serve?

Tri County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Tri County Middle School?

Tri County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 369 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Tri County Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Tri County Middle School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Tri County Middle School rank in MI?

Tri County Middle School is ranked #1731 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Tri County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Tri County Middle School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Tri County Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Tri County Middle School has 24.5% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Tri County Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Tri County Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

62.3% of students at Tri County 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

County Safety
Average (330/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
369
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Montcalm County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Tri County Area Schools
District Enrollment
1,685
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,334
District Rank
#2 of 3

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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