Pennfield Middle School

Summary:

Pennfield Middle School is a public middle school located in Battle Creek, Michigan, serving grades 6-7 with a total enrollment of 446 students. The school is part of the Battle Creek Public Schools district, which is ranked 451 out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Pennfield Middle School faces several challenges, including declining academic performance, high chronic absenteeism, and potential racial achievement gaps. The school consistently underperforms the state average in M-Step and PSAT proficiency rates, with only 24.3% of 6th graders proficient in English Language Arts compared to the state average of 37.5%. Additionally, the school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 15.4% in 2018-2019 to 37.2% in 2022-2023, which is much higher than the state average. When compared to nearby middle schools, such as Gull Lake Middle School, Pennfield Middle School generally performs worse on key metrics.

Despite the higher per-student spending at Pennfield Middle School, the school's academic performance remains below the state average, suggesting that the school may need to re-evaluate its resource allocation and ensure that funds are being used effectively to support student learning. To address these issues, the school and district should consider implementing targeted interventions, addressing the root causes of absenteeism, and closely examining resource allocation to ensure that all students have the support they need to succeed.


Detail:

Public 6-7

 8587 Pennfield Rd
       Battle Creek, MI  49017-8104


(269) 961-9784

District: Pennfield Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
564th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,703 Help


Students who attend Pennfield Middle School usually attend:

High:    Pennfield Senior High School

Feeder schools for Pennfield Middle School:

Elementary:    North Pennfield Elementary
    Pennfield Dunlap Elementary
    Pennfield Purdy School

Student/teacher ratio:  20.1 Help
Number of students:  327

Racial breakdown:

White:
79.5%
Two or more races:
8.9%
Hispanic:
7.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  63.6% Help


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 Compare Pennfield Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Pennfield Middle School ranks worse than 62.9% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.85. (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 (79.5%), two or more races (8.9%), Hispanic (7%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 63.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pennfield Middle School is 20.1. (See more...)
Help
Compare Pennfield Middle School employs 16.2 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pennfield Middle School is $12,703.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Pennfield Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Pennfield Middle School 564th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Pennfield Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Pennfield Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Pennfield Schools 451st of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Pennfield Middle School?

Rank History for Pennfield Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 70.80 249th 806 69.1%
2007 66.20 315th 823 61.7%
2008 66.79 317th 839 62.2%
2009 62.84 395th 847 53.4%
2010 56.56 504th 851 40.8%
2011 57.44 466th 858 45.7%
2012 57.73 372nd 900 58.7%
2013 58.71 360th 919 60.8%
2014 59.40 372nd 921 59.6%
2015 66.14 278th 919 69.7%
2016 55.87 375th 894 58.1%
2017 41.32 443rd 821 46.0%
2018 42.60 505th 838 39.7%
2019 37.42 496th 792 37.4%
2021 19.10 570th 675 15.6%
2022 27.66 563rd 776 27.4%
2023 32.81 577th 883 34.7%
2024 34.85 564th 897 37.1%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 34.78 98th 156 37.2%
2023 32.12 110th 163 32.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.68 204th 377 45.9%
2023 26.18 157th 199 21.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 32.07 582nd 815 28.6%
2019 31.87 489th 672 27.2%
2021 20.84 456th 523 12.8%
2022 24.79 544th 691 21.3%
2023 31.25 578th 825 29.9%
2024 32.55 562nd 836 32.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 38.76 492nd 794 38.0%
2019 35.69 425th 658 35.4%
2021 17.20 465th 521 10.7%
2022 19.74 551st 657 16.1%
2023 27.34 566th 770 26.5%
2024 37.17 474th 771 38.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 43.61 439th 797 44.9%
2019 31.28 449th 639 29.7%
2021 14.82 495th 540 8.3%
2022 26.68 483rd 658 26.6%
2023 31.13 537th 776 30.8%
2024 23.32 613th 786 22.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 14.45 361st 366 1.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.79 127th 266 52.3%
2023 63.08 81st 246 67.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Pennfield Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 30.28 495th 678 27.0%
2019 27.40 467th 624 25.2%
2021 13.12 535th 577 7.3%
2022 17.87 549th 638 13.9%
2023 20.37 579th 688 15.8%
2024 25.37 545th 701 22.3%
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.

Pennfield 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: 2)
0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Open Quote I think there are great things about the district as a whole but there was a recent incident that has me discouraged with the school and their policies involving reporting threats made to the school and how and what they are informing the parents. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Pennfield Middle School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 372 10 6 1 1 n/a n/a 0 390
1989 359 7 3 3 1 n/a n/a 0 373
1990 374 9 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 387
1991 368 11 1 4 2 n/a n/a 0 386
1992 382 15 1 5 2 n/a n/a 0 405
1993 388 19 3 9 3 n/a n/a 0 422
1994 393 18 4 7 4 n/a n/a 0 426
1995 398 20 1 6 1 n/a n/a 0 426
1996 398 20 1 6 1 n/a n/a 0 426
1997 421 15 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 441
1998 425 13 1 1 1 n/a n/a 0 441
1999 407 13 4 3 2 n/a n/a 0 429
2000 419 5 2 1 5 n/a n/a 0 432
2001 412 6 3 4 5 n/a n/a 0 430
2002 423 35 5 6 3 n/a n/a 0 472
2003 423 35 5 6 3 n/a n/a 0 472
2004 432 37 6 7 1 n/a n/a 0 483
2005 438 31 8 9 1 n/a n/a 0 487
2006 446 21 3 15 3 n/a n/a 0 488
2007 454 24 0 14 3 n/a n/a 0 495
2008 460 21 1 13 3 n/a n/a 0 498
2009 463 24 1 14 1 n/a n/a 0 503
2010 462 13 1 14 3 n/a n/a 7 500
2011 422 19 1 22 3 0 15 0 482
2012 429 26 2 20 4 0 15 0 496
2013 424 26 4 24 5 0 23 0 506
2014 465 22 3 29 6 0 26 0 551
2015 453 24 2 32 8 1 34 0 554
2016 477 37 0 25 10 1 43 0 593
2017 473 29 1 33 10 1 37 0 584
2018 453 29 1 34 5 0 31 0 553
2019 423 23 3 32 2 0 22 0 505
2020 426 31 2 29 3 0 41 0 532
2021 368 20 3 31 0 1 45 0 468
2022 358 16 2 27 0 0 50 0 453
2023 347 21 3 27 0 0 48 0 446
2024 260 14 0 23 1 0 29 0 327

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 Pennfield Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 390 n/a n/a n/a
1989 373 n/a n/a 10.7
1990 387 25.0 15.4 7.2
1991 386 n/a n/a n/a
1992 405 n/a n/a 12.8
1993 422 n/a 0.0 13.3
1994 426 22.7 18.8 12
1995 426 23.6 18.1 11.5
1996 426 23.6 18.1 11.5
1997 441 24.0 18.4 12.7
1998 441 25.0 17.6 15
1999 429 25.0 17.2 11.4
2000 432 24.7 17.5 17.4
2001 430 25.1 17.1 19.1
2002 472 25.1 18.8 24.2
2003 472 25.1 18.8 24.2
2004 483 25.7 18.8 25.9
2005 487 26.9 18.1 27.7
2006 488 26.0 18.8 29.1
2007 495 27.0 18.3 31.5
2008 498 26.7 18.7 35.7
2009 503 24.6 20.4 39.2
2010 500 24.2 20.6 43
2011 482 24.1 20.0 48.1
2012 496 24.3 20.3 51
2013 506 25.8 19.5 46.6
2014 551 25.0 21.9 46.8
2015 554 24.0 23.0 46
2016 593 27.0 21.9 44.7
2017 584 29.5 19.7 42
2018 553 28.5 19.3 51.2
2019 505 26.2 19.2 54.1
2020 532 28.0 18.9 57.9
2021 468 27.9 16.7 52.4
2022 453 27.7 16.3 59.8
2023 446 21.3 20.9 57.8
2024 327 16.2 20.1 63.6

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 Pennfield Middle School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 390 n/a n/a n/a
1989 373 n/a n/a 10.7
1990 387 25.0 15.4 7.2
1991 386 n/a n/a n/a
1992 405 n/a n/a 12.8
1993 422 n/a 0.0 13.3
1994 426 22.7 18.8 12
1995 426 23.6 18.1 11.5
1996 426 23.6 18.1 11.5
1997 441 24.0 18.4 12.7
1998 441 25.0 17.6 15
1999 429 25.0 17.2 11.4
2000 432 24.7 17.5 17.4
2001 430 25.1 17.1 19.1
2002 472 25.1 18.8 24.2
2003 472 25.1 18.8 24.2
2004 483 25.7 18.8 25.9
2005 487 26.9 18.1 27.7
2006 488 26.0 18.8 29.1
2007 495 27.0 18.3 31.5
2008 498 26.7 18.7 35.7
2009 503 24.6 20.4 39.2
2010 500 24.2 20.6 43
2011 482 24.1 20.0 48.1
2012 496 24.3 20.3 51
2013 506 25.8 19.5 46.6
2014 551 25.0 21.9 46.8
2015 554 24.0 23.0 46
2016 593 27.0 21.9 44.7
2017 584 29.5 19.7 42
2018 553 28.5 19.3 51.2
2019 505 26.2 19.2 54.1
2020 532 28.0 18.9 57.9
2021 468 27.9 16.7 52.4
2022 453 27.7 16.3 59.8
2023 446 21.3 20.9 57.8
2024 327 16.2 20.1 63.6

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 Pennfield Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $437 (4.4%) $9,553 (95.6%) $9,991
2020 $469 (4.8%) $9,232 (95.2%) $9,701
2021 $904 (8.3%) $10,009 (91.7%) $10,913
2022 $924 (7.5%) $11,389 (92.5%) $12,314
2023 $1,216 (9.6%) $11,487 (90.4%) $12,703

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Pennfield 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 496th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 577th of 883 Middle schools
 2.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennfield Middle School)24.731.4
 6.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Pennfield Schools)24.731.4
 6.7%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Pennfield Middle School)27.117.8
 9.3%
   6th Grade Math (Pennfield Schools)27.117.8
 9.3%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennfield Middle School)25.925.5
 0.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Pennfield Schools)25.925.5
 0.4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Pennfield Middle School)25.915.4
 10.5%
   7th Grade Math (Pennfield Schools)25.915.4
 10.5%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Pennfield Middle School)34.318.2
 16.1%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Pennfield Schools)34.318.2
 16.1%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennfield Middle School)62.354.5
 7.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Pennfield Schools)62.354.5
 7.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Pennfield Middle School)33.727.1
 6.6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Pennfield Schools)33.727.1
 6.6%
   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 Students505446
 11.7%
African American2321
 8.7%
American Indian20
 100%
Asian33
Hispanic3227
 15.6%
Pacific Islander00
White423347
 18%
Two or More Races2248
 118.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients54.1%57.8%
 3.8%


Schools Near Pennfield Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Pennfield Middle School

Students who attend Pennfield Middle School usually go on to attend Pennfield Senior High School

Students at Pennfield Middle School are 80% White, 9% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 4% African American.

Pennfield Middle School ranks 564th of 897 Michigan middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 327 students attended Pennfield Middle School.


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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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