Very Good
#627 of 3,190 schools in MI
Top 20% in state
Watervliet Middle School
Middle School · Watervliet School District
450 EAST SAINT JOSEPH ST, Watervliet, MI 49098
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
297
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Watervliet
#1 of 5
public schools
Michigan middle schools
#49 of 497
In district
#1 of 5
Watervliet School District
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Watervliet Middle School
Watervliet Middle School is a regular public middle school serving students in grades six through eight. Located in Watervliet, Michigan, in Berrien County’s rural area near the town center, the school offers a close-knit community feel with 297 students enrolled and a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1. The school has 19 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its middle-grade learners.
Watervliet Middle School holds a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10, ranking at #988 among Michigan’s 3204 schools in the state ranking system. On average, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 32% in Math, indicating there is room for academic growth across the board. The school's setting in a rural area near town provides a unique blend of natural surroundings and community resources, offering students a balanced educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Watervliet 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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Watervliet Middle School — Students at Watervliet Middle School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Watervliet Middle School Compares
See how Watervliet Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 30.74% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 42% (2019) to 49.51% (2022).
Location
450 EAST SAINT JOSEPH ST, Watervliet, MI 49098
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Watervliet Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Coloma Junior High School (rated 6.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Coloma), with a comparable rating. Another option is Hartford Middle School (rated 4.9/10, 4.8 miles away, in nearby Hartford), a more accessible option. Additionally, Covert Middle School (rated 4.6/10, 7.0 miles away, in nearby Covert), a more accessible option. For more schools in Watervliet, see our Watervliet schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Watervliet Senior High School Watervliet | 0.0 mi | 5.3 |
| WAY Watervliet High School Watervliet | 0.0 mi | 5.9 |
| North Elementary School Watervliet | 0.9 mi | 4.9 |
| South Elementary School Watervliet | 0.8 mi | 6.1 |
| Coloma Intermediate School Coloma | 3.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Coloma Elementary School Coloma | 3.1 mi | 4.9 |
| Coloma High School Coloma | 3.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Coloma Junior High School Coloma | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Watervliet | 4.7 mi | 7.9 |
| Hartford Alternative Education Hartford | 4.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Hartford High School Hartford | 4.7 mi | 4.5 |
| Hartford Middle School Hartford | 4.8 mi | 4.9 |
| Redwood Elementary Hartford | 4.7 mi | 6.5 |
| Covert Elementary School Covert | 7.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Covert High School Covert | 7.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Covert Middle School Covert | 7.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Countryside Academy Elementary Benton Harbor | 6.4 mi | 6.9 |
| Sister Lakes Elementary School Dowagiac | 7.4 mi | 8.2 |
| Wood School Bangor Twp 8 Bangor | 9.0 mi | — |
| Riverside School Benton Harbor | 7.1 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 49098 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,899
Median Home Value
$150,500
Median Rent
$1,253/mo
Population
5,791
College Educated
20.7%
Homeownership
74.5%
Avg Commute
24.4 min
Poverty Rate
22.8%
Median Age
38.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Watervliet Middle School has a median household income of $56,899. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,500, with a median rent of $1,253/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Harbor Springs Middle School Harbor Springs, MI | 7.6 |
| Lincoln Middle School Warren, MI | 7.6 |
| Westwood Middle School Grand Rapids, MI | 7.6 |
| Lake City Middle School Lake City, MI | 7.5 |
| Mill Creek Middle School Comstock Park, MI | 7.5 |
| Saugatuck Middle School Saugatuck, MI | 7.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Watervliet Middle School
What grades does Watervliet Middle School serve?
Watervliet Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Watervliet Middle School?
Watervliet Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 297 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Watervliet Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Watervliet Middle School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Watervliet Middle School rank in MI?
Watervliet Middle School is ranked #627 out of 3,190 schools in MI.
What is Watervliet Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Watervliet Middle School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Watervliet Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Watervliet Middle School has 32.0% math proficiency and 47.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Watervliet Middle School a charter school?
No, Watervliet Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Watervliet Middle School a Title I school?
No, Watervliet Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Watervliet Middle School?
66.0% of students at Watervliet 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Watervliet). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 297
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Berrien County
- Phone
- (269) 463-0780
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Watervliet School District- District Enrollment
- 1,436
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,138
- District Rank
- #1 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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