Benzie Central Middle School

Benzie Central Middle School in Benzonia, MI, serves 239 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Benzie County Central Schools district. The school is located in a rural area of northwest Michigan, and there are no other schools within 20 miles to use for comparison.

This school has experienced a significant decline over the past decade. After ranking in the 70th percentile statewide in 2015-2016, it now sits in the 29th percentile, placing it in the bottom third of Michigan middle schools. The most pressing concern is chronic absenteeism: 42.8% of students were chronically absent in the 2024-2025 school year, compared to the state average of 27.9%. This has been a persistent issue, with rates exceeding 45% in the two prior years. Academic proficiency in English Language Arts and Math is roughly half the state average—for example, only 20% of 6th graders are proficient in ELA versus 37.5% statewide, and just 12% are proficient in Math versus 31.9% statewide. The school's performance closely mirrors the district's overall 1-star rating, suggesting these challenges are systemic across Benzie County Central Schools rather than isolated to this building.

There are a few notable takeaways for parents. The school spends a substantial $14,746 per student, yet this investment has not translated into strong academic outcomes. One relative bright spot emerged in 2024-2025 when 8th graders scored above the state average in Science (45.9% vs. 41.1%), though this dipped below average in the most recent testing year. Given the strong link between the high absenteeism rate and low test scores, families should know that attendance is likely a major factor in the school's struggles. Parents considering this school may want to ask about attendance support programs and how the school plans to address the chronic absenteeism that appears to be undermining academic progress for many students.