Summary:
Zip code 49012 is home to just one middle school, Galesburg-Augusta Middle School, which serves grades 5 through 8 in the Augusta, MI area with an enrollment of 302 students.
Since this is the only middle school in the area, the focus is entirely on Galesburg-Augusta Middle School, part of the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools district. The school has held a stable ranking in the 38th-40th percentile of Michigan middle schools for three consecutive years, earning a 2-star rating. The most striking pattern is a "5th grade strength, 7th grade collapse." In the latest testing year, 5th graders beat state averages in ELA (52.3% vs. 43.8%), math (36.0% vs. 32.2%), and science (44.2% vs. 40.0%). However, by 7th grade, proficiency falls dramatically below state levels—ELA drops to just 23.0% (state: 38.4%) and math to 16.2% (state: 33.3%). This suggests a significant challenge in maintaining academic momentum through the middle grades, possibly tied to curriculum transitions or instructional gaps.
Year-over-year data shows some bright spots, including strong gains in 5th grade ELA (+10.7 points) and 6th grade math (+6.5 points). However, 7th grade math experienced a staggering 12.9-point decline, and 8th grade PSAT math remains a persistent weakness at 23.9% proficiency versus the state's 33.2%. Chronic absenteeism is a major concern, with 32.6% of students chronically absent—nearly 5 points above the state average—which likely hampers learning in upper grades where material is more cumulative. With 41.39% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school serves a moderate-income population, yet 5th graders still outperform state averages, indicating strong early preparation. Per-student spending is $16,873, but outcomes in most subjects remain below state averages, raising questions about resource allocation. For parents, this school offers a solid foundation in early middle school but requires attention to the noticeable drop-off in 7th and 8th grade performance, particularly in math.
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