Bangor Middle School

Bangor Middle School serves 272 students in grades 5 through 8 and is part of the Bangor Public Schools (Van Buren) district in Bangor, MI, a community where a majority of families face economic challenges.

When you look at test scores, Bangor Middle School's proficiency rates in English and math are roughly half the state average. For example, only about 11% of 6th graders are proficient in English and just 6.5% in math, compared to state averages of 37.5% and 31.9%. This performance is similar to nearby Hartford Middle School and Covert Middle School, but well below schools like Watervliet Middle School and Paw Paw Middle School. There is one bright spot: 8th graders scored much closer to the state average on the PSAT, with 55.4% proficient in English compared to the state's 64.8%. This suggests that while students may struggle with state assessments, they perform comparatively better on college-prep tests. The school also earns high marks for its English Language Learner program, which ranks in the 51st percentile statewide.

One of the biggest concerns is chronic absenteeism. About 34% of students miss significant school time, which is higher than the state average of 27.9% and much higher than nearby Lawton Middle School (19.8%). On a positive note, the school invests heavily in its students, spending $18,282 per pupil—more than most neighbors—and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.3. While the school has historically ranked in the bottom quarter of Michigan middle schools, its percentile rank has improved from 8th to 25th over the past few years, suggesting a slow but steady upward trend.