Brethren Middle School

Brethren Middle School is a small, rural school in Brethren, MI, serving just 85 students in 7th and 8th grades as part of the Kaleva Norman Dickson School District. There are no other schools within 20 miles, making this the sole middle school option for families in this area.

The most pressing concern for parents to know is that Brethren Middle School is currently facing significant challenges. Chronic absenteeism is alarmingly high, with 41.3% of students missing 10% or more of school days—nearly 1.5 times the state average of 27.9%. This has been a persistent issue for five years, peaking at 55.7% in 2021-2022. Academic performance has also dropped sharply over the last two years. For example, 7th-grade math proficiency sits at just 12.2% compared to the state's 33.3%, and 8th-grade science proficiency has fallen to 23.1% versus the state's 39.2%. Even 7th-grade ELA, which nearly matched the state average in 2023-2024, plummeted from 35.9% to 11.9% in just one year. The school's overall ranking has declined from the 53rd percentile in 2021-2022 to its current 1-star rating in the 24th percentile.

It's also important to understand the broader context. About 70.6% of students are economically disadvantaged, and the school spends a substantial $16,211 per student—yet this high spending is not translating into better outcomes. While both boys and girls are struggling, the recent decline has hit female students particularly hard, with their ranking dropping from the 62nd percentile in 2024-2025 to the 15th percentile in 2025-2026. The data strongly suggests that the high absenteeism rate is a primary obstacle to learning. For parents considering this school, the key takeaway is that immediate attention to attendance and academic support is critical, as the current trajectory shows a rapid decline that needs urgent intervention.