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#2066 of 3,190 schools in MI

Western Middle School

Middle School · Bay City School District

500 WEST MIDLAND RD, Auburn, MI 48611

Enrollment

714

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

5.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Auburn

#2 of 3

public schools

Michigan middle schools

#288 of 497

In district

#8 of 13

Bay City School District

About Western Middle School

Western Middle School is a regular public school located in the small suburban area of Auburn, Michigan. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 714 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, ensuring that each student receives individual attention. With 34 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, Western Middle School aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its diverse group of young adolescents.

Academically, Western Middle School has a MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks as the 1551st best school in Michigan based on state rankings. The academic score is 6.5 out of 10, indicating there is room for growth in student performance. In reading and English language arts (ELA), about 49% of students are proficient or above, while in math, the proficiency rate stands at 37%.

Western Middle School continues to focus on supporting its students' development and academic progress. Western Middle School is situated in a quiet suburban setting where it forms an integral part of the community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Western Middle School is 21:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.4Above Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37.1%
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.8%
Math vs. State Avg+8.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.8 pts
Overall Proficiency43%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected-6.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile49th
Resources & Environment3.6Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,620

Western Middle School — Students at Western Middle School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores MI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 37.0%
School
State
32.7%
ELA Proficiency 49.0%
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
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
48.7%

* 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: 6.3/10.

How Western Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.7/10
35th percentile in MI
Academic
6.4/10
6.4/10
Growth
6.3/10
Above average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

500 WEST MIDLAND RD, Auburn, MI 48611

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Western Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Plymouth Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 7.1 miles away, in nearby Midland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Freeland Elementary School (rated 6.9/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Freeland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Midland High School (rated 6.8/10, 6.8 miles away, in nearby Midland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Auburn, see our Auburn schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Bay City Western High School Auburn 0.1 mi 6.0
AUBURN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Auburn 0.4 mi 5.2
Auburn Elementary School Auburn 0.6 mi 5.3
TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL, MONITOR Bay City 2.2 mi 5.5
Freeland Middle SchoolHigh School Freeland 5.5 mi 5.3
ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL Auburn 5.6 mi 5.5
Freeland Learning Center Freeland 6.0 mi 5.8
Freeland Elementary School Freeland 6.3 mi 6.9
Saginaw Correctional Facility Freeland 6.9 mi
Great Lakes Bay Early College Saginaw 5.6 mi 6.3
Juvenile Justice Center Midland 5.3 mi
McAlearSawden Elem School Bay City 5.9 mi 5.7
Chestnut Hill Elementary School Midland 6.2 mi 6.3
Midland High School Midland 6.8 mi 6.8
Northeast Middle School Midland 6.9 mi 6.4
Bay City Adult EducationCTP Bay City 6.9 mi 5.8
Plymouth Elementary School Midland 7.1 mi 8.3
TRI-CITY SDA SCHOOL Saginaw 8.8 mi
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Bay City 7.4 mi 4.8
GOOD SHEPHERD EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Midland 7.3 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 48611 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,511

Median Home Value

$166,500

Median Rent

$901/mo

Population

6,013

College Educated

35.4%

Homeownership

84.5%

Avg Commute

23.3 min

Poverty Rate

6.8%

Median Age

45.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Western Middle School has a median household income of $80,511. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,500, with a median rent of $901/month. The local poverty rate of 6.8% is relatively low. 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
Carl T Renton Jr High School New Boston, MI 5.7
Davison Middle School Davison, MI 5.7
Fruitport Middle School Fruitport, MI 5.7
Hartland MS at Ore Creek Hartland, MI 5.7
Holmes Middle School Livonia, MI 5.7
Macatawa Bay Middle School Holland, MI 5.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Western Middle School

What grades does Western Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Western Middle School?

Western Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 714 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Western Middle School is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Western Middle School rank in MI?

Western Middle School is ranked #2066 out of 3,190 schools in MI.

What is Western Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Western Middle School has a composite rating of 5.7 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 Western Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Western Middle School has 37.0% math proficiency and 49.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Western Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Western Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

40.2% of students at Western 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 (444/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
714
Student-Teacher Ratio
21:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Small Suburb
County
Bay County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Bay City School District
District Enrollment
6,180
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,093
District Rank
#8 of 13

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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