Laker Middle School

Laker Middle School in Pigeon, MI, serves 225 students in grades 6-8 within the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker Schools district, and holds a stable 3-star rating that places it in the middle of the pack academically among Michigan middle schools.

One of the most impressive things about Laker Middle School is its exceptional support for special education students. In the 2024-2025 school year, these students ranked in the 90th percentile statewide—a dramatic improvement from just a few years prior. The school also shows a clear strength in literacy and social studies: 8th graders scored nearly 10 percentage points above the state average in social studies, and English Language Arts scores are consistently at or above state levels. Attendance is another bright spot—chronic absenteeism sits at just 13.8%, far below the state average of 29.5%, suggesting kids want to be here. However, math is a persistent challenge. Proficiency rates in 6th and 7th grade math lag behind state averages by roughly 5 to 12 percentage points, and this gap has remained consistent across multiple testing years. The school also shows a notable gender gap in performance, with male students ranking in the 63rd percentile while female students rank in the 44th percentile—a reversal from just two years ago when girls outperformed boys by a wide margin.

For parents, this is a school that clearly cares about its most vulnerable learners and has built a strong culture of attendance and engagement. The district spends generously—about $15,018 per student—yet overall academic output remains average, which raises questions about how resources are allocated, especially given the ongoing math struggles. Still, with low absenteeism, solid literacy outcomes, and a special education program that ranks among the best in the state, Laker Middle School offers a reliable and supportive environment. The key to lifting its overall rating will likely be finding ways to bring its math instruction up to the level of its reading and social studies programs.