Summary:
Zip code 49707, encompassing the Alpena, Michigan area, is served by a single middle school, Thunder Bay Junior High School, which educates students in grades 6 through 8 as part of the Alpena Public Schools district.
For parents, the most pressing concern at Thunder Bay Junior High School is its exceptionally high chronic absenteeism rate of 56%, which is more than double the state average and likely a major driver of academic struggles. While the school serves a predominantly low-income population (nearly 64% qualify for free or reduced lunch), it shows relative strengths in English Language Arts and Social Studies, coming within a few points of state averages. However, math proficiency is a significant weakness, with scores running 10 to 14 percentage points below state averages across all grades and assessments. The school has maintained a consistent 2-star rating over three years, placing it in the lower-middle range of Michigan middle schools. Notably, its test scores are nearly identical to the district's, indicating it is the primary middle school in the area.
Looking at year-over-year trends, the 2025-2026 school year brought declines in most subjects, with the most dramatic drop in 8th-grade PSAT English Language Arts (falling from 71.2% to 60% proficiency) and a 5.2-point decline in science. There were a few bright spots, including a 5.5-point improvement in 8th-grade PSAT math and slight gains in 6th and 7th-grade ELA. The school also demonstrated a "PSAT paradox" in the prior year, with ELA proficiency exceeding the state average while math proficiency lagged far behind. Given the high absenteeism and persistent math deficits, addressing attendance is likely the most critical step for improving overall performance at this school.
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