Belding Middle School

Summary:

Belding Middle School is a public middle school in Belding, Michigan, serving 325 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Ionia Public Schools district, which is ranked 399 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Belding Middle School faces several challenges, including a significantly higher percentage of white students (85.85%) compared to the state average, below-average academic performance on state assessments, and high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 15.0% to 32.2% in recent years. The school also has a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a relatively high proportion of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds. Belding Middle School's performance lags behind many of its nearby counterparts, such as Central Woodlands 56 School, Red Hawk Intermediate, and Central Middle School, which are part of higher-performing districts and tend to have higher proficiency rates, lower chronic absenteeism, and lower percentages of students from low-income families.

While Belding Middle School's performance has fluctuated over the years, with its statewide ranking ranging from 382 out of 776 Michigan middle schools in 2021-2022 to 544 out of 675 in 2020-2021, the school's overall academic performance and student outcomes suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to improve student success. The school's spending per student has increased in recent years, reaching $14,276 in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average, but this increased funding has not yet translated into significant improvements in student achievement.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 410 Ionia St
       Belding, MI  48809-1759


(616) 794-4400

District: Belding Area School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
404th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $14,276 Help


Students who attend Belding Middle School usually attend:

High:    Belding High School

Feeder schools for Belding Middle School:

Elementary:    Ellis Elementary School
    Woodview Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.8 Help
Number of students:  362

Racial breakdown:

White:
83.7%
Hispanic:
10.5%
Two or more races:
4.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  56.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Belding Middle School ranks better than 55% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.44. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (83.7%), Hispanic (10.5%), two or more races (4.7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 56.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Belding Middle School is 16.8. (See more...)
Help
Compare Belding Middle School employs 21.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Belding Middle School is $14,276.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Belding Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Belding Middle School 404th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Belding Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Belding Area School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Belding Area School District 399th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Belding Middle School.

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Rank History for Belding Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 55.96 452nd 806 43.9%
2007 59.23 434th 823 47.3%
2008 58.18 463rd 839 44.8%
2009 56.17 502nd 847 40.7%
2010 55.38 514th 851 39.6%
2011 49.84 558th 858 35.0%
2012 44.04 539th 900 40.1%
2013 28.47 692nd 919 24.7%
2014 30.80 680th 921 26.2%
2015 43.16 540th 919 41.2%
2016 40.85 534th 894 40.3%
2017 30.25 551st 821 32.9%
2018 42.66 504th 838 39.9%
2019 32.23 538th 792 32.1%
2021 22.96 544th 675 19.4%
2022 46.73 382nd 776 50.8%
2023 49.09 398th 883 54.9%
2024 49.44 404th 897 55.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.10 151st 377 59.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.26 412th 815 49.4%
2019 33.34 474th 672 29.5%
2021 18.03 474th 523 9.4%
2022 51.33 296th 691 57.2%
2023 49.26 375th 825 54.5%
2024 55.32 307th 836 63.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 36.38 516th 794 35.0%
2019 24.17 524th 658 20.4%
2021 19.98 448th 521 14.0%
2022 41.62 351st 657 46.6%
2023 49.05 339th 770 56.0%
2024 44.38 396th 771 48.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.53 421st 797 47.2%
2019 32.61 439th 639 31.3%
2021 20.76 451st 540 16.5%
2022 41.90 353rd 658 46.4%
2023 40.84 444th 776 42.8%
2024 46.30 400th 786 49.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 26.86 213th 266 19.9%
2022 41.34 80th 138 42.0%
2024 49.78 125th 257 51.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Belding Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.68 511th 678 24.6%
2019 20.73 515th 624 17.5%
2021 17.34 503rd 577 12.8%
2022 38.04 382nd 638 40.1%
2023 37.39 422nd 688 38.7%
2024 36.64 450th 701 35.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Michigan Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Belding Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Sunday, June 19, 2022

Open Quote My kid can finally have a great middle school experience at BMS! Opportunity to do different sports and clubs and the instruction meets my students needs and pushes them. They’re using IXL to help my student grow! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Belding Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 492 1 0 33 0 n/a n/a -1 525
1989 510 2 0 33 0 n/a n/a -6 539
1990 539 3 0 31 0 n/a n/a -3 570
1991 506 3 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 513
1992 550 2 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 555
1993 621 2 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 626
1994 445 2 0 2 1 n/a n/a 0 450
1995 617 0 0 37 1 n/a n/a 0 655
1996 617 0 0 37 1 n/a n/a 0 655
1997 631 1 1 9 1 n/a n/a 0 643
1998 655 1 0 10 1 n/a n/a 0 667
1999 640 1 1 8 1 n/a n/a 0 651
2000 597 1 2 3 1 n/a n/a 0 604
2001 561 1 1 5 0 n/a n/a 0 568
2002 559 3 1 21 6 n/a n/a 0 590
2003 559 3 1 21 6 n/a n/a 0 590
2004 539 7 4 35 6 n/a n/a 0 591
2005 517 6 6 36 4 n/a n/a 0 569
2006 505 9 3 26 3 n/a n/a 0 546
2007 484 6 4 27 3 n/a n/a 1 525
2008 487 2 5 29 1 n/a n/a 2 526
2009 472 2 3 35 0 n/a n/a 3 515
2010 473 3 2 43 2 n/a n/a 5 528
2011 439 4 1 27 4 0 1 0 476
2012 434 6 2 47 2 0 3 0 494
2013 427 7 3 42 1 1 5 0 486
2014 416 6 3 61 0 1 7 0 494
2015 398 4 4 48 0 0 11 0 465
2016 390 4 3 53 1 0 11 0 462
2017 368 2 1 61 0 0 11 0 443
2018 345 2 0 47 0 0 14 0 408
2019 332 2 2 35 0 0 13 0 384
2020 341 4 3 40 0 0 17 0 405
2021 309 2 3 37 0 0 7 0 358
2022 299 3 1 37 0 0 14 0 354
2023 279 1 0 31 0 0 14 0 325
2024 303 2 2 38 0 0 17 0 362

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Belding Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 525 n/a n/a n/a
1989 539 n/a n/a 28.6
1990 570 34.0 16.7 26.3
1991 513 n/a n/a n/a
1992 555 n/a n/a 34.2
1993 626 n/a 0.0 24.6
1994 450 29.0 15.5 37.3
1995 655 31.4 20.9 23.8
1996 655 31.4 20.9 23.8
1997 643 36.0 17.9 25.7
1998 667 37.0 18.0 22.2
1999 651 39.0 16.7 27.6
2000 604 40.2 15.0 38.7
2001 568 41.2 13.8 35
2002 590 41.6 14.2 43.4
2003 590 41.6 14.2 43.4
2004 591 39.0 15.2 37.1
2005 569 37.1 15.3 45.3
2006 546 37.2 14.7 46.9
2007 525 38.0 13.8 47.5
2008 526 35.8 14.7 46.6
2009 515 34.6 14.9 54.9
2010 528 32.1 16.4 62
2011 476 29.0 16.4 59.5
2012 494 25.5 19.3 64.4
2013 486 25.5 19.0 64
2014 494 25.3 19.4 64.2
2015 465 25.0 18.6 57.8
2016 462 25.0 18.4 57.1
2017 443 23.4 18.9 60.3
2018 408 22.8 17.8 63.2
2019 384 20.2 19.0 62.2
2020 405 21.8 18.5 57.3
2021 358 19.6 18.2 54.5
2022 354 20.0 17.7 51.4
2023 325 20.9 15.5 50.2
2024 362 21.4 16.8 56.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Belding Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 525 n/a n/a n/a
1989 539 n/a n/a 28.6
1990 570 34.0 16.7 26.3
1991 513 n/a n/a n/a
1992 555 n/a n/a 34.2
1993 626 n/a 0.0 24.6
1994 450 29.0 15.5 37.3
1995 655 31.4 20.9 23.8
1996 655 31.4 20.9 23.8
1997 643 36.0 17.9 25.7
1998 667 37.0 18.0 22.2
1999 651 39.0 16.7 27.6
2000 604 40.2 15.0 38.7
2001 568 41.2 13.8 35
2002 590 41.6 14.2 43.4
2003 590 41.6 14.2 43.4
2004 591 39.0 15.2 37.1
2005 569 37.1 15.3 45.3
2006 546 37.2 14.7 46.9
2007 525 38.0 13.8 47.5
2008 526 35.8 14.7 46.6
2009 515 34.6 14.9 54.9
2010 528 32.1 16.4 62
2011 476 29.0 16.4 59.5
2012 494 25.5 19.3 64.4
2013 486 25.5 19.0 64
2014 494 25.3 19.4 64.2
2015 465 25.0 18.6 57.8
2016 462 25.0 18.4 57.1
2017 443 23.4 18.9 60.3
2018 408 22.8 17.8 63.2
2019 384 20.2 19.0 62.2
2020 405 21.8 18.5 57.3
2021 358 19.6 18.2 54.5
2022 354 20.0 17.7 51.4
2023 325 20.9 15.5 50.2
2024 362 21.4 16.8 56.6

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Belding Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $600 (6.1%) $9,264 (93.9%) $9,864
2020 $456 (4.5%) $9,687 (95.5%) $10,143
2021 $810 (7.4%) $10,209 (92.7%) $11,018
2022 $982 (7.9%) $11,458 (92.1%) $12,440
2023 $1,118 (7.8%) $13,158 (92.2%) $14,276

Data source: Michigan Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Belding Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 538th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 398th of 883 Middle schools
 22.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Belding Middle School)36.926.2
 10.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Belding Area School District)36.926.2
 10.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Belding Middle School)31.119.6
 11.5%
   6th Grade Math (Belding Area School District)31.119.6
 11.5%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Belding Middle School)2842.5
 14.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Belding Area School District)2842.5
 14.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Belding Middle School)16.231.7
 15.5%
   7th Grade Math (Belding Area School District)16.231.7
 15.5%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Belding Middle School)2434.1
 10.1%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Belding Area School District)2434.1
 10.1%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Belding Middle School)60.653.6
 7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Belding Area School District)60.653.6
 7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Belding Middle School)25.334.5
 9.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Belding Area School District)25.334.5
 9.2%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)41.436.3
 5.1%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students384325
 15.4%
African American21
 50%
American Indian00
Asian20
 100%
Hispanic3531
 11.4%
Pacific Islander00
White332279
 16%
Two or More Races1314
 7.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients62.2%50.2%
 12.1%


Schools Near Belding Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Belding Middle School

Students who attend Belding Middle School usually go on to attend Belding High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 362 students attended Belding Middle School.

Students at Belding Middle School are 84% White, 10% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

Belding Middle School ranks 404th of 897 Michigan middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Michigan Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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