Summary:
Zip code 49024 in Portage, Michigan, is home to 7 elementary schools serving grades PK-5 (with one charter extending to 8th grade), including six schools within the highly-rated Portage Public Schools district and one independent charter, Oakland Academy.
For parents, the standout choice is Moorsbridge Elementary School, which leads the area with a 4-star rating, the lowest poverty rate (11.3% free/reduced lunch), and the lowest chronic absenteeism (10.1%). It posts the highest 4th-grade ELA scores (70.7% proficient) and 5th-grade science scores (67%), despite spending the least per student ($12,273) and having the largest class sizes (20.3:1). In contrast, Woodland Elementary School spends the most per student ($20,067) with the smallest classes (13.3:1) yet ranks lowest among Portage schools, showing that spending and class size don't guarantee results. 12th Street Elementary is the most improved, jumping 163 spots in state rankings over two years, with strong 3rd-grade math (73.6% proficient). Meanwhile, Oakland Academy stands out for its troubling 35.4% chronic absenteeism rate—more than triple Moorsbridge's—though it still manages mid-pack academics.
A district-wide concern is the "5th-grade math cliff," where proficiency drops dramatically from 3rd to 5th grade at nearly every school—for example, Haverhill Elementary falls from 58.6% to 31.4%, and Woodland from 60% to 28.3%. However, 5th-grade science is a bright spot, with Moorsbridge (67%), Oakland Academy (56.3%), and 12th Street (51%) all far exceeding the state average (40%). Overall, the Portage district schools (averaging around the 72nd percentile) significantly outperform Oakland Academy (53rd percentile), despite similar per-student funding, suggesting district resources and shared programs offer real advantages. Amberly Elementary also punches above its weight given its socioeconomic profile, making it a solid middle-tier option.
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