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AD Johnston JrSr High School

Q: Is AD Johnston JrSr High School a good school?

AD Johnston JrSr High School ranks 391 st of 800 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

391^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 800 Michigan High Schools

Better than 51% of Michigan high schools

Summary

AD Johnston JrSr High School in Bessemer, MI, is a small, close-knit school serving 164 students in grades 7-12 as part of the Bessemer Area School District in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

The most impressive thing about this school is how well it keeps students on track to graduate. AD Johnston has maintained a graduation rate above 90% for five straight years, hitting 96% in recent years, and has posted a remarkable 0.0% dropout rate for four consecutive years. That's a huge contrast to the nearby Gogebic County Community Education school, just 5 miles away, which reported a 52.6% graduation rate and a 26.3% dropout rate. This is especially notable because about 62% of AD Johnston students qualify for free or reduced lunch, yet the school's low-income students ranked in the 85th percentile statewide in 2024-2025. The school also shines in English Language Arts, with 7th graders scoring 64% proficiency on state tests versus the state average of 38%, and 9th graders outperforming the state by 15 points on the PSAT.

However, there are some areas of concern. Math proficiency is consistently below state averages—only 15% of 7th graders were proficient in 2024-2025 compared to the state's 33%. Chronic absenteeism has also been rising, from 18.6% in 2020-2021 to 35.8% in 2024-2025, now exceeding the state's 27.9%. Additionally, test scores can swing dramatically from year to year—for example, 11th grade social studies dropped from 47.6% proficiency to just 17.65% in one year. This volatility is common in small schools where one class cohort can significantly shift the numbers. With a favorable 13:1 student-teacher ratio and reasonable per-student spending around $11,000, AD Johnston offers a supportive environment that excels at getting students to graduation, even if academic consistency across all subjects remains a work in progress.

164

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,790

Per pupil spending ?

62.2%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

All students in Michigan receive free school meals.

100 W Lead St
Bessemer, MI 49911-1007

(906) 667-0802

District: Bessemer Area School District

Feeder schools for AD Johnston JrSr High School:

Elementary:

Washington School

Racial breakdown:

White:

83.5%

Two or more races:

11.0%

Hispanic:

2.4%

See top rated Michigan high schools

Compare AD Johnston JrSr High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Recently slipping — 90th percentile in 2016 → 51st in 2026

Strengths

✓90% graduate in 4 years — above the Michigan average (84%)

✓Above the Michigan median (51st percentile)

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (36% vs 28% Michigan)

!Ranking has slipped from its 90th-percentile peak (2016) to 51st (2026)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg42%

Michigan avg43%

Middle school

328^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 37%▲ up 25 pts since 2016

From bottom 38% (2016) to top 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

391^st of 800

Michigan public high schools ?

Top 49%▼ down 39 pts since 2016

From top 10% (2016) to top 49% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Michigan High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

298^th of 625Bessemer Area School District among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	57.4	328 of 896	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.6	398 of 890	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.9	193 of 897	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	40.5	509 of 883	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	53.4	311 of 776	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	35.2	430 of 675	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.1	476 of 792	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.8	527 of 838	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	19.2	672 of 821	18.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	39.0	553 of 894	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	42.3	549 of 919	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2014	70.0	236 of 921	74.4%	★★★★☆
2013	83.1	108 of 919	88.2%	★★★★☆
2012	67.7	265 of 900	70.6%	★★★★☆
2011	63.1	383 of 858	55.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	72.2	246 of 851	71.1%	★★★★☆
2009	66.5	350 of 847	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2008	76.2	176 of 839	79.0%	★★★★☆
2007	52.6	508 of 823	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	62.6	359 of 806	55.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	59.9	260 of 789	67.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.2	405 of 789	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2023	52.4	305 of 770	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	41.1	359 of 657	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	47.7	322 of 658	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	33.2	548 of 794	31.0%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	73.2	138 of 834	83.5%	★★★★☆
2025	59.5	274 of 832	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	80.4	82 of 836	90.2%	★★★★★
2023	56.1	301 of 825	63.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.9	150 of 691	78.3%	★★★★☆
2019	58.7	239 of 672	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	42.1	508 of 815	37.7%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	58.1	283 of 798	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	63.0	232 of 786	70.5%	★★★★☆
2023	47.7	354 of 776	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.3	230 of 658	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	46.8	408 of 797	48.8%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	37.5	428 of 687	37.7%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.4	453 of 696	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	65.2	194 of 701	72.3%	★★★★☆
2023	40.5	377 of 688	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.3	379 of 638	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.7	429 of 577	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.5	435 of 624	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	27.6	522 of 678	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	47.3	391 of 800	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.0	282 of 739	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.0	339 of 743	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	80.7	117 of 735	84.1%	★★★★☆
2022	31.3	416 of 531	21.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	29.2	483 of 666	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	63.4	287 of 824	65.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	68.9	213 of 835	74.5%	★★★★☆
2016	87.2	82 of 852	90.4%	★★★★★
2015	34.2	553 of 832	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2014	74.7	162 of 799	79.7%	★★★★☆
2013	72.0	213 of 805	73.5%	★★★★☆
2012	80.6	127 of 773	83.6%	★★★★☆
2011	75.1	214 of 784	72.7%	★★★★☆
2010	66.4	339 of 765	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2009	78.9	147 of 754	80.5%	★★★★☆
2008	56.8	412 of 750	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2007	73.4	202 of 767	73.7%	★★★★☆
2006	62.6	314 of 705	55.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	52.4	289 of 686	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.7	234 of 629	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	87.4	55 of 611	91.0%	★★★★★
2022	41.3	284 of 416	31.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	63.0	240 of 710	66.2%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	58.9	252 of 719	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	79.5	94 of 635	85.2%	★★★★☆
2024	42.8	347 of 654	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	97.3	14 of 614	97.7%	★★★★★
2018	26.1	533 of 755	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2025	62.7	209 of 628	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	82.8	82 of 633	87.0%	★★★★☆
2023	61.4	205 of 611	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	20.6	445 of 543	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	49.8	351 of 707	50.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	46.9	327 of 671	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.9	276 of 639	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.0	342 of 638	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	82.5	90 of 647	86.1%	★★★★☆
2022	22.3	423 of 492	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	20.4	484 of 582	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	62.7	240 of 708	66.1%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)83rd percentile+20 vs school

Female (2026)67th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2025)65th percentile+9 vs school

White (2026)38th percentile-26 vs school

High school

Male (2025)67th percentile+5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)65th percentile+14 vs school

Female (2026)58th percentile+7 vs school

White (2026)51st percentile~ school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts69%+8 vs state

Social Studies37%-10 vs state

Science34%-3 vs state

Evidence-Based Reading and Writing29%-23 vs state

Mathematics28%-4 vs state

★

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Schools Near AD Johnston JrSr High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)			PSAT Mathematics (2026)			SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step English Language Arts (2026)	M-Step Math (2026)	M-Step Science (2026)		M-Step Social Studies (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 9th Grade	PSAT English Language Arts 10th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 9th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 10th Grade	SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Science 11th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
AD Johnston JrSr High School	Public	7-12	100 W Lead St	Bessemer	49911	Gogebic County	Bessemer Area School District	No	No	No	No	(906) 667-0802	164	12	13.2	62.2%	137 (83.5%)	1 (0.6%)	4 (2.4%)	1 (0.6%)	3 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (11.0%)	47.3	391^st of 800 public high schools	51.1%		59	282^nd of 739 public high schools	61.8%	109	61.1	75.8	62.5	27.8	21.2	43.8	29.4	434.1	37.0	1675.0	44.4	23.5	55.6	17.7	$12,790	$684	$12,106
Gogebic County Community Education	Public	9-12	E4946 Jackson Rd	Ironwood	49938	Gogebic County	Ironwood Area Schools of Gogebic County	No	No	No	No	(906) 932-0932	45	2	26.4	77.8%	35 (77.8%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (8.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (6.7%)								(n/a)															$3,671	$710	$2,961

Frequently Asked Questions about AD Johnston JrSr High School

What is the racial makeup of AD Johnston JrSr High School?

Students at AD Johnston JrSr High School are 84% White, 11% Two or more races, 2% Hispanic, 2% American Indian.

What district is AD Johnston JrSr High School in?

Bessemer Area School District

Is AD Johnston JrSr High School a good school?

AD Johnston JrSr High School ranks 391^st of 800 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into AD Johnston JrSr High School?

AD Johnston JrSr High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Washington School

How many students attend AD Johnston JrSr High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 164 students attended AD Johnston JrSr High School.

Rate AD Johnston JrSr High School!

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2024–25 school spending data (updated)NewNov 2, 2026

2021–22 through 2025–26 immunization rates (updated)Oct 19, 2026

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.