Montague Area Public Schools

Montague Area Public Schools is a mid-sized Michigan district serving roughly 1,247 students across four schools—two elementary campuses, one middle school, and one high school—in a moderate-to-high poverty area where per-student spending runs above state averages.

For parents, the standout is Montague High School, which posts a stellar 96.4% graduation rate (state: 84%) and a tiny 1.8% dropout rate, plus strong 11th-grade science scores (45.9% vs. 35.2% state). However, its college-readiness numbers lag—SAT reading and math proficiency sit at 40.8% and 23.5%, respectively, both below state averages—suggesting a focus on getting students to graduate rather than prepping them for rigorous post-secondary work. Meanwhile, Nellie B Chisholm Middle School is the district’s most consistent performer, holding a 3-star rating for three straight years. It leads the district in 8th-grade social studies (58.8% proficiency) and PSAT English (70.6%), both above state levels, and even outpaces state averages in 7th-grade math. The trouble spot is Oehrli Elementary School, whose ranking has slid from the 66th to the 34th percentile in three years. Its 5th-grade scores are alarming—math proficiency plunges to 17.6% (state: 32.2%) and ELA to 20% (state: 43.8%)—though 4th-grade math (44.2%) beats the state, hinting at a rough transition year rather than a systemic failure.

District-wide, science is a genuine strength, beating state averages at every tested grade. But chronic absenteeism is a hidden issue: 29.6% of high schoolers and 27.4% of middle schoolers miss too much school, even as graduation rates soar. The Montague Area Childhood Center spends a hefty $20,431 per student with an 11.8:1 ratio, a smart early investment whose payoff isn’t yet visible in later grades. Ultimately, parents will find a district that keeps kids in school and excels in middle school and science, but must watch for the elementary slide and whether high school rigor matches its impressive graduation numbers.