Holland Woods Middle School

Holland Woods Middle School in Port Huron, MI, serves 404 students in grades 6-8 and is part of the Port Huron Area School District, a district ranked in the bottom half of Michigan schools.

For parents, the most important thing to know is that Holland Woods faces significant challenges, but also has some bright spots. Nearly 79% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and chronic absenteeism is high—around 47%—which is far above the state average and much higher than nearby schools like Marysville Middle School (22%) or St Clair Middle School. Academically, the school holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 28th percentile statewide, a slight decline from prior years. Test scores are among the lowest in the region, especially in math and science. However, there is a positive outlier: in a recent year, African American students at Holland Woods ranked in the 85th percentile statewide, earning a 4-star rating—a sign that some strategies are working well for specific groups.

One striking comparison is with Fort Gratiot Middle School, which is just 3 miles away in the same district. Fort Gratiot earns a 4-star rating (73rd percentile) and has proficiency rates often double those at Holland Woods—for example, 43% vs. 19% in 7th-grade math. Yet Holland Woods spends significantly more per student ($18,799) than Fort Gratiot ($14,367) or Marysville ($11,987). This higher spending hasn't translated into higher scores, which raises questions about resource allocation. Still, 8th-grade students at Holland Woods show relative strength, with ELA proficiency near state averages, suggesting progress as students move through the school. Parents should weigh these factors carefully, understanding that the school serves a high-needs population and that outcomes vary by grade and subject.