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Western Middle School

Q: Is Western Middle School a good school?

Western Middle School ranks 189 th of 896 Michigan middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

189^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 896 Michigan Middle Schools

Better than 79% of Michigan middle schools

Summary

Western Middle School in Parma, MI, serves 594 students in grades 6-8 and is part of the Western School District, which holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 64th percentile of Michigan districts.

Western Middle School is a clear academic leader in the Jackson/Parma region, consistently ranking in the top 20-25% of Michigan middle schools over the past several years. In the 2025-2026 school year, it ranked 189th out of 896 middle schools statewide (79th percentile, 4 stars). This performance far outpaces nearby schools like Grass Lake Middle School (72nd percentile) and most others in the area, which typically fall in the 30th-50th percentile range. The school's test scores are notably strong: 6th-grade math proficiency is 46% compared to the 31.9% state average, and 8th-grade PSAT English Language Arts proficiency reaches 73.9% versus the 64.8% state average. Western also excels in serving its low socio-economic status students, who rank in the 77th percentile statewide, demonstrating effective support for closing achievement gaps.

One of the most impressive improvements at Western is in attendance. Chronic absenteeism has dropped from 34.8% in 2021-2022 to 19.0% in 2024-2025—now 8.9 percentage points better than the state average and the best among all comparable schools in the region. The school also achieves these results efficiently, spending $14,560 per student, which is less than several neighboring schools like Homer Middle School ($16,450) and Middle School at Parkside ($18,406), yet producing significantly better outcomes. Western has maintained remarkable consistency in its rankings over five years, fluctuating only between the 66th and 81st percentiles (excluding the pandemic year), suggesting a stable, sustainable educational model. While the school performs excellently overall, recent data shows a decline in performance among Hispanic students that warrants attention and targeted support.

594

Students ?

16.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,560

Per pupil spending ?

41.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1400 S Dearing Rd
Parma, MI 49269-9712

(517) 841-8370

District: Western School District

Students who attend Western Middle School usually attend:

High:

Western High School

Feeder schools for Western Middle School:

Elementary:	Bean Elementary School
	Parma Elementary School
	Warner Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

84.2%

Two or more races:

7.1%

Hispanic:

5.2%

See top rated Michigan middle schools

Compare Western Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 76th percentile in 2016 → 79th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Michigan average (50% vs 41% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 21% of Michigan middle schools

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg50%

Michigan avg41%

189^th of 896

Michigan public middle schools ?

Top 21%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Michigan Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

226^th of 625Western School District among Michigan districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	73.6	189 of 896	78.9%	★★★★☆
2025	74.5	175 of 890	80.3%	★★★★☆
2024	71.9	192 of 897	78.6%	★★★★☆
2023	74.6	168 of 883	81.0%	★★★★☆
2022	59.0	262 of 776	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2021	43.0	350 of 675	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.2	338 of 792	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	68.6	249 of 838	70.3%	★★★★☆
2017	58.0	291 of 821	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2016	71.5	212 of 894	76.3%	★★★★☆
2015	62.8	311 of 919	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	73.7	198 of 921	78.5%	★★★★☆
2013	74.0	189 of 919	79.4%	★★★★☆
2012	73.9	201 of 900	77.7%	★★★★☆
2011	70.3	261 of 858	69.6%	★★★☆☆
2010	69.7	291 of 851	65.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	72.8	223 of 847	73.7%	★★★★☆
2008	72.4	231 of 839	72.5%	★★★★☆
2007	73.5	209 of 823	74.6%	★★★★☆
2006	67.7	294 of 806	63.5%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	65.5	212 of 789	73.1%	★★★★☆
2025	66.3	199 of 789	74.8%	★★★★☆
2024	67.5	181 of 771	76.5%	★★★★☆
2023	74.3	134 of 770	82.6%	★★★★☆
2022	51.8	262 of 657	60.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	37.4	321 of 521	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	46.6	331 of 658	49.7%	★★☆☆☆
2018	62.8	268 of 794	66.2%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	34.1	166 of 260	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	63.5	82 of 265	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	67.0	66 of 257	74.3%	★★★★☆
2018	35.4	187 of 266	29.7%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	67.2	191 of 834	77.1%	★★★★☆
2025	68.3	181 of 832	78.2%	★★★★☆
2024	69.5	170 of 836	79.7%	★★★★☆
2023	62.3	236 of 825	71.4%	★★★★☆
2022	53.9	273 of 691	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2021	25.5	424 of 523	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	39.2	416 of 672	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	63.4	243 of 815	70.2%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	74.6	162 of 813	80.1%	★★★★☆
2025	75.7	149 of 798	81.3%	★★★★☆
2024	67.3	200 of 786	74.6%	★★★★☆
2023	66.2	199 of 776	74.4%	★★★★☆
2022	57.2	234 of 658	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	38.0	314 of 540	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.2	291 of 639	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	70.1	197 of 797	75.3%	★★★★☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	40.6	117 of 195	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	68.1	47 of 190	75.3%	★★★★☆
2024	51.5	78 of 176	55.7%	★★★☆☆
2023	43.3	90 of 163	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.7	90 of 156	42.3%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	51.8	89 of 236	62.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.6	99 of 244	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.2	105 of 201	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2023	60.1	58 of 199	70.9%	★★★★☆
2022	73.8	15 of 70	78.6%	★★★★☆
2018	46.6	178 of 377	52.8%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Michigan percentile	Rating
2026	63.8	206 of 687	70.0%	★★★★☆
2025	63.2	213 of 696	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.6	219 of 701	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.4	187 of 688	72.8%	★★★★☆
2022	49.7	282 of 638	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	36.1	360 of 577	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.1	321 of 624	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.8	240 of 678	64.6%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Male (2026)80th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)77th percentile~ school

Female (2026)73rd percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)70th percentile-9 vs school

Special Education (2026)62nd percentile-17 vs school

Multi-racial (2026)40th percentile-39 vs school

Hispanic (2026)36th percentile-43 vs school

By subject vs Michigan (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies52%~ state avg

Science51%+12 vs state

Math46%+14 vs state

English Language Arts44%+6 vs state

Mathematics40%+7 vs state

★

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Schools Near Western Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				PSAT English Language Arts (2026)	PSAT Mathematics (2026)	M-Step English Language Arts (2026)			M-Step Math (2026)			M-Step Science (2026)		M-Step Social Studies (2026)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT English Language Arts 8th Grade	PSAT Mathematics 8th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 5th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 6th Grade	M-Step English Language Arts 7th Grade	M-Step Math 5th Grade	M-Step Math 6th Grade	M-Step Math 7th Grade	M-Step Science 5th Grade	M-Step Science 8th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 5th Grade	M-Step Social Studies 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Western Middle School	Public	6-8	1400 S Dearing Rd	Parma	49269	Jackson County	Western School District	No	No	No	No	(517) 841-8370	594	37	16.1	41.4%	500 (84.2%)	13 (2.2%)	31 (5.2%)	5 (0.8%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (7.1%)	73.6	189^th of 896 public middle schools	78.9%		74.5	175^th of 890 public middle schools	80.3%	14	73.9	39.9		45.0	42.4		46.0	46.6		50.7		52.2	$14,560	$533	$14,027
Middle School at Parkside	Public	6-8	2400 4th St	Jackson	49203	Jackson County	Jackson Public Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(517) 841-2300	750	51	14.7	79.9%	291 (38.8%)	239 (31.9%)	68 (9.1%)	14 (1.9%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	132 (17.6%)	18.7	723^rd of 896 public middle schools	19.3%		19.8	698^th of 890 public middle schools	21.6%	25	46.0	18.1		15.1	15.3		9.0	8.7		23.7		38.0	$18,406	$1,834	$16,573
Northwest Kidder Middle School	Public	5-8	6700 Rives Junction Rd	Jackson	49201	Jackson County	Northwest Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(517) 817-4703	786	52	15.2	44.8%	580 (73.8%)	43 (5.5%)	58 (7.4%)	7 (0.9%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	95 (12.1%)	31	593^rd of 896 public middle schools	33.8%		33.3	576^th of 890 public middle schools	35.3%	17	61.4	18.5		27.9	27.4		13.7	17.1		20.6		43.0	$13,774	$751	$13,023
Concord Middle School	Public	6-8	405 S Main St	Concord	49237	Jackson County	Concord Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(517) 524-8854	143	9	16.6	52.4%	101 (70.6%)	15 (10.5%)	11 (7.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (10.5%)	28.6	622^nd of 896 public middle schools	30.6%		50.8	396^th of 890 public middle schools	55.5%	226	48.2	10.7		31.7	36.7		12.2	18.4		28.6		30.4	$15,247	$1,077	$14,169
HanoverHorton Middle School	Public	6-8	10000 Moscow Rd	Horton	49246	Jackson County	Hanover-Horton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(517) 563-0102	250	14	18.2	37.2%	237 (94.8%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.8%)	44.3	472^nd of 896 public middle schools	47.3%		41.4	515^th of 890 public middle schools	42.1%	43	74.3	16.2		40.5	32.9		30.1	17.9		32.4		39.2	$12,420	$642	$11,779
Springport Middle School	Public	6-8	300 W Main St	Springport	49284	Jackson County	Springport Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(517) 857-3445	222	12	18.3	47.3%	201 (90.5%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.0%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (3.2%)	38.2	538^th of 896 public middle schools	40.0%		31.4	594^th of 890 public middle schools	33.3%	56	54.4	14.7		33.3	24.0		11.0	20.0		41.8		59.7	$15,355	$1,227	$14,128
Leslie Middle School	Public	5-8	400 Kimball St	Leslie	49251	Ingham County	Leslie Public Schools	No	No	No	No	(517) 589-8218	326	17	19.0	48.8%	299 (91.7%)	2 (0.6%)	18 (5.5%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.2%)	47.5	437^th of 896 public middle schools	51.2%		43.8	492^nd of 890 public middle schools	44.7%	55	68.1	41.7	48.6	27.1	22.4	15.3	30.0	30.6	48.6	32.4	27.8	46.5	$12,464	$842	$11,622
Homer Middle School	Public	5-8	403 S Hillsdale St	Homer	49245	Calhoun County	Homer Community School District	No	No	No	Yes	(517) 568-4456	268	16	16.5	57.5%	242 (90.3%)	4 (1.5%)	14 (5.2%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.2%)	65.2	253^rd of 896 public middle schools	71.8%		59.1	310^th of 890 public middle schools	65.2%	57	67.2	26.6	31.7	42.2	50.7	23.3	29.7	44.8	38.3	41.3	22.0	61.9	$16,450	$1,225	$15,225
Napoleon Middle School	Public	6-8	204 West	Napoleon	49261	Jackson County	Napoleon Community Schools	No	No	No	No	(517) 905-5718	261	16	16.4	38.7%	235 (90.0%)	2 (0.8%)	8 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (5.7%)	44.3	474^th of 896 public middle schools	47.1%		48.5	427^th of 890 public middle schools	52.0%	47	67.0	25.0		31.8	19.3		22.4	21.2		42.5		55.2	$18,201	$543	$17,658
Grass Lake Middle School	Public	6-8	1000 Grass Lake Rd	Grass Lake	49240	Jackson County	Grass Lake Community Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(517) 867-5550	290	19	15.4	33.1%	268 (92.4%)	2 (0.7%)	9 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.4%)	65.3	252^nd of 896 public middle schools	71.9%		69.2	220^th of 890 public middle schools	75.3%	32	74.7	33.7		47.9	34.8		33.1	33.7		47.6		60.7	$13,867	$995	$12,871

Frequently Asked Questions about Western Middle School

What district is Western Middle School in?

Western School District

How many students attend Western Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 594 students attended Western Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Western Middle School attend?

Students who attend Western Middle School usually go on to attend Western High School

What is the racial makeup of Western Middle School?

Students at Western Middle School are 84% White, 7% Two or more races, 5% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Is Western Middle School a good school?

Western Middle School ranks 189^th of 896 Michigan middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Western Middle School!

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Latest Michigan data All new data »

2025–26 M-Step, PSAT & SAT test scoresSep 4, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJun 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataJan 6, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.