Best Public Schools in Middleville, MI

The city of Middleville, Michigan, is served by the Thornapple Kellogg School District, which operates five schools—one high school, one middle school, and three elementary schools—for approximately 3,063 students in Pre-K through 12th grade, and the district overall earns a 4-star rating, ranking in the 71st percentile statewide.

For parents, the standout performer is Thornapple Kellogg High School, which ranks in the 78th percentile (4 stars) and posts strong results in SAT Reading/Writing (62.6% proficient vs. 52.1% statewide) and a low dropout rate of just 2.0% compared to the state's 7.1%. However, its SAT Math proficiency (31.7%) lags far behind its verbal scores, revealing a 30.9-point gap worth noting. The hidden gem is Lee Elementary School, where 3rd grade ELA proficiency hits 60.9%—a remarkable 22.7 points above the state average—and 3rd grade math reaches 54%, suggesting exceptional early literacy programming. Thornapple Kellogg Middle School shines in 8th grade PSAT ELA at 80.1% proficiency (15.3 points above the state), though its 6th and 7th grade math scores trail state averages slightly. Among elementaries, Page Elementary School shows strong 4th grade results but a notable 5th grade math dip to 26.9% proficiency, while McFall Elementary School serves the youngest students (PK-1) with no test data available.

The district's biggest strength is attendance: chronic absenteeism ranges from just 9.1% at Page to 15.9% at McFall, versus a 27.9% state average—a factor likely driving academic success. A key concern is the "Lee effect" fading by middle school, as 6th grade ELA drops to 36.9% (below state), suggesting transition challenges. Spending varies notably, with Lee at $17,408 per student versus Page's $13,917, though higher spending doesn't always correlate with better scores. Overall, this is a solidly above-average district with excellent early elementary outcomes and high school verbal skills, but middle school math and 5th grade science (31.6% vs. 40.0% statewide) are areas needing attention.