Ishpeming Public School District No. 1

The Ishpeming Public School District No. 1 in Michigan operates 4 schools, including 1 elementary school, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools (one of which is an alternative school). The district serves the Ishpeming area and surrounding communities.

Among the district's schools, Ishpeming High School stands out as the highest-performing, ranking 144 out of 743 Michigan high schools and receiving a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. It also had a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 82.8%. In contrast, Birchview Elementary had the lowest proficiency rates on state assessments, with only 13.2% of 3rd graders and 15.8% of 4th graders proficient in English Language Arts. The district's alternative high school, IshpemingNegauneeNICE Community Educational Division, had the lowest student-teacher ratio, suggesting more individualized attention for students, but also the highest percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients, indicating a high-need student population.

Across the district, proficiency rates on state assessments were generally lower than the state averages, particularly in math and science. Additionally, the schools had high rates of free/reduced lunch recipients, ranging from 57.69% at Ishpeming Middle School to 89.47% at the alternative high school. Chronic absenteeism was also a concern, with all schools reporting rates around 29.5% in 2023-2024. These challenges suggest the need for the district to implement targeted interventions and ensure equitable distribution of resources to improve student outcomes across all schools.