Summary:
Zip code 49267, covering the Ottawa Lake, Michigan area, is home to just one middle school, Whiteford Middle School, which serves grades 5 through 8 within the Whiteford Agricultural School District.
As the only middle school in the area, Whiteford Middle School stands out for its strong academic performance and highly supportive learning environment. The school has earned a consistent 4-star rating and performs above state averages in most subjects. Its greatest strength is 7th grade math, where 57.9% of students are proficient—a remarkable 24.6 percentage points above the state average. The school also excels in 5th and 6th grade math and ELA, with proficiency rates exceeding state benchmarks by 4 to 17 points. With only 188 students across four grades, the school offers a small, personalized setting with a favorable 14.1:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Chronic absenteeism is exceptionally low at just 9.9%, compared to the state average of 27.9%, reflecting strong family engagement and community support.
However, there are areas of concern. Eighth graders score below state averages in science (32.1% vs. 39.2%) and social studies (41.1% vs. 50.3%), suggesting a need for curriculum focus in upper grades. Additionally, ELA proficiency declined notably from the previous year in both 6th grade (down 11.8 points) and 7th grade (down 7.4 points). On a positive note, 8th grade PSAT math scores jumped dramatically from 21.6% to 35.1% proficiency in one year, demonstrating the school's capacity for rapid improvement when targeted efforts are applied. While the student population is relatively affluent, with only 17% qualifying for free/reduced lunch, the school's overall performance indicates a solid educational foundation with clear opportunities for growth in specific subjects and grade levels.
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