Covert Middle School

Covert Middle School is a very small public school in Covert, MI, serving just 79 students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the Covert Public Schools district.

The most important thing for parents to know is that chronic absenteeism is a serious challenge here. In the 2024-2025 school year, 39.3% of students were chronically absent—meaning they missed significant amounts of school—compared to the state average of 27.9%. This has been a persistent issue, spiking to 56.4% a few years ago. While the school spends a notably high amount per student ($22,004, far more than nearby Upton Middle School at $13,256), this investment hasn't translated into higher test scores. Academic proficiency is below state averages, particularly in English Language Arts, where only about 19% of 6th graders and 16% of 7th graders met proficiency standards. There is a relative bright spot in 8th grade, where 46.4% of students were proficient in ELA on the PSAT—still below the state's 64.8%, but much closer than the younger grades. The student-teacher ratio has also been unstable, swinging from 27.8 students per teacher in 2022-2023 down to 11.8 the following year, which can affect consistency in the classroom.

Compared to other schools in the area, Covert's performance is similar to other high-poverty schools like Bangor Middle School and Hartford Middle School, but significantly behind more affluent schools like Upton, where 88% of students are proficient in PSAT ELA. There is some encouraging news for specific groups: recent data showed improved rankings for male students and those from low-income families, though the most current year dipped back down. The school faces real obstacles related to poverty—about 71% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—and the high spending per student appears to go toward keeping the small school operational rather than producing dramatic academic gains. Parents considering this school should be aware of the attendance challenges and ask what supports are in place to help students stay engaged and on track.