Marcellus Middle School

Marcellus Middle School is a small, rural school in Marcellus, MI, serving 136 students in grades 6 through 8 within the Marcellus Community Schools district.

One of the most notable strengths of this school is its work with students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Even during a year when overall test scores dipped, the school ranked in the 78th percentile statewide for its effectiveness with low-income students—a group that makes up nearly 60% of the student body. That's a significant achievement. The school also keeps students coming to class: its chronic absenteeism rate is just 16.2%, far better than the state average of 27.9%. This combination suggests a supportive, engaging environment where students feel connected, even when academic results fluctuate.

However, parents should know that test scores at Marcellus can swing quite a bit from year to year. In 2024-2025, the school ranked in the 79th percentile statewide; the following year, it dropped to the 54th percentile. This volatility is common for a school this small, where a single class of students can dramatically shift percentages. For example, 6th-grade reading proficiency fell from 52.6% to 26.5% in one year, while 7th graders that same year scored at or above state averages. When compared to similar schools, Marcellus outperforms Dowagiac Middle School—which has a similar economic profile—in nearly every subject. It also beats Constantine Middle School and Cassopolis Middle School in most areas. Still, there's a noticeable gap when compared to higher-performing regional schools like Portage Central Middle School or Mattawan Middle School, which serve far fewer students in poverty. For parents, the takeaway is that Marcellus shows real promise in supporting its most vulnerable students, but its small size makes year-to-year results unpredictable.