Summary:
The Houghton-Portage Township School District is a top-performing rural district in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, serving about 1,458 students across three schools—Houghton Elementary School (K-5), Houghton Middle School (6-8), and Houghton Central High School (9-12)—all of which hold 5-star ratings and rank in the top 6-13% of their respective school levels statewide.
If you’re looking at the high school, Houghton Central High School is the clear standout, ranking 29th in Michigan and improving its position for three straight years. It posts a 95.7% graduation rate (state: 84%) and an SAT reading/writing proficiency of 82.3%—a full 30 points above the state average. However, its math proficiency (49.6%) lags far behind its reading score, a gap that also appears at Houghton Middle School, where 8th graders hit 88.7% on PSAT English but only 51.6% on PSAT math. The middle school is otherwise a bridge-builder, ranking 55th in the state and achieving the district’s highest single-subject score despite having the highest poverty rate (32.3% free/reduced lunch). Houghton Elementary School ranks 189th and excels in science (70.5% proficiency in 5th grade vs. 40% statewide), but its 3rd grade math scores dropped sharply from 67.3% to 52.0% year-over-year—a red flag worth watching.
Across all three schools, science is a hidden strength, with proficiency running about 30 points above state averages from 5th through 11th grade. Chronic absenteeism rises with grade level, from 12% in elementary to 21.1% in high school, though all remain below the state average. Spending efficiency is notable: the middle school achieves top-tier results with the lowest per-student cost ($12,484), while the high school spends the most ($14,817). Overall, this district outperforms Michigan averages by 20-30 points in nearly every subject, making it an exceptional choice for families—though math instruction and rising absenteeism in older grades are areas to monitor.
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