Summary:
Montague Area Public Schools serves the 49437 zip code in Montague, MI, with four public schools spanning pre-kindergarten through 12th grade: Montague Area Childhood Center (PK-K), Oehrli Elementary School (1-5), Nellie B Chisholm Middle School (6-8), and Montague High School (9-12). The district holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 55th percentile statewide.
If you are comparing schools, Nellie B Chisholm Middle School stands out as the strongest academic performer, consistently beating state averages in 7th-grade math, 8th-grade science, social studies, and PSAT English. It has held a 3-star rating for three straight years. Montague High School excels at keeping students on track, with a 96.4% graduation rate and a 1.8% dropout rate—both far better than state averages—and it also posts strong 11th-grade science scores. However, its SAT reading and math scores lag the state, suggesting a gap between graduation and college readiness. Oehrli Elementary School is a concern: its state ranking fell from the 66th to the 34th percentile in two years, with 5th-grade proficiency dropping sharply in every subject. Montague Area Childhood Center spends far more per student ($20,431) than other schools, typical for early education due to smaller class sizes.
Chronic absenteeism is a district-wide issue, especially at the high school (29.6%) and middle school (27.4%), both above the state average, while Oehrli Elementary is much lower at 17.3%. Free/reduced lunch eligibility ranges from about 35% at the high school to 49% at the childhood center, indicating moderate economic diversity. The middle school’s consistent success suggests instructional strategies there could be a model for other grades, while Oehrli’s rapid decline warrants immediate attention. Overall, this district offers a strong high school graduation record and a standout middle school, but families should watch elementary trends and consider the high school’s college-readiness metrics carefully.
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