Houghton Middle School

Summary:

Houghton Middle School is a high-performing public middle school serving grades 6-8 in Houghton, Michigan. Part of the Public Schools of Calumet Laurium & Keweenaw district, Houghton Middle School consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state, with a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Houghton Middle School's academic performance is exceptional, with students significantly outperforming the state average in standardized tests across all subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 68.1% of 6th-grade students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the state average of 37.5%. However, the school has a relatively homogeneous student population, with over 89% of students identifying as White, in contrast to the more diverse Washington Middle School, where the student body is 94.16% White.

While Houghton Middle School's academic excellence is commendable, the school has experienced higher rates of chronic absenteeism compared to the state average, ranging from 10.6% to 27.9% over the past few years. Additionally, the school has a relatively high per-student spending, ranging from $8,950 to $11,270, and a higher student-teacher ratio of 17.8 to 20.0, compared to the 14.7 ratio at Washington Middle School. These insights provide a well-rounded understanding of Houghton Middle School's strengths, challenges, and areas for potential improvement.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 1603 Gundlach Rd
       Houghton, MI  49931-2605


(906) 482-4871

District: Houghton-Portage Township School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
41st of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,270 Help


Students who attend Houghton Middle School usually attend:

High:    Houghton Central High School

Feeder schools for Houghton Middle School:

Elementary:    Houghton Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.7 Help
Number of students:  346

Racial breakdown:

White:
89.0%
Asian:
5.5%
Two or more races:
4.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  29.5% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Houghton Middle School ranks better than 95.4% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 93.78. (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 (89%), Asian (5.5%), two or more races (4.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 29.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Houghton Middle School is 16.7. (See more...)
Help
Compare Houghton Middle School employs 20.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Houghton Middle School is $11,270.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Houghton Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Houghton Middle School 41st of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Houghton 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:


Houghton-Portage Township School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Houghton-Portage Township School District 20th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Houghton Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Houghton Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 79.61 124th 806 84.6%
2007 78.63 147th 823 82.1%
2008 76.59 171st 839 79.6%
2009 79.56 127th 847 85.0%
2010 83.49 58th 851 93.2%
2011 82.84 71st 858 91.7%
2012 84.67 100th 900 88.9%
2013 85.60 86th 919 90.6%
2014 85.27 90th 921 90.2%
2015 86.33 86th 919 90.6%
2016 81.33 126th 894 85.9%
2017 82.50 105th 821 87.2%
2018 85.69 101st 838 87.9%
2019 83.65 101st 792 87.2%
2021 91.80 46th 675 93.2%
2022 94.44 31st 776 96.0%
2023 92.84 48th 883 94.6%
2024 93.78 41st 897 95.4%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Special Education students at Houghton Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.23 236th 377 37.4%
2023 95.66 3rd 199 98.5%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

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

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 74.09 137th 815 83.2%
2019 74.92 92nd 672 86.3%
2021 83.16 38th 523 92.7%
2022 91.54 28th 691 95.9%
2023 82.20 75th 825 90.9%
2024 89.55 37th 836 95.6%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Houghton Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.51 102nd 794 87.2%
2019 79.12 105th 658 84.0%
2021 90.95 37th 521 92.9%
2022 91.75 35th 657 94.7%
2023 90.31 47th 770 93.9%
2024 89.51 62nd 771 92.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Houghton Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 84.78 92nd 797 88.5%
2019 82.03 90th 639 85.9%
2021 88.35 45th 540 91.7%
2022 94.22 30th 658 95.4%
2023 92.40 44th 776 94.3%
2024 94.34 30th 786 96.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Houghton Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 76.58 129th 678 81.0%
2019 73.47 131st 624 79.0%
2021 87.15 50th 577 91.3%
2022 90.88 43rd 638 93.3%
2023 87.14 68th 688 90.1%
2024 88.97 54th 701 92.3%
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.

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





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Houghton Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1998 278 1 15 1 2 n/a n/a 0 297
1999 290 1 18 1 3 n/a n/a 0 313
2000 296 0 19 1 0 n/a n/a 0 316
2001 290 2 15 1 0 n/a n/a 0 308
2002 272 1 24 1 2 n/a n/a 0 300
2003 272 1 24 1 2 n/a n/a 0 300
2004 274 2 15 2 3 n/a n/a 0 296
2005 273 0 12 0 1 n/a n/a 0 286
2006 251 1 15 1 3 n/a n/a 0 271
2007 236 3 11 0 0 n/a n/a 5 255
2008 240 5 9 1 2 n/a n/a 1 258
2009 277 3 6 1 3 n/a n/a 1 291
2010 291 3 4 1 3 n/a n/a 0 302
2011 288 0 10 0 2 0 3 0 303
2012 292 2 12 0 2 1 2 0 311
2013 276 1 15 0 2 2 7 0 303
2014 267 1 13 2 1 1 8 0 293
2015 256 2 14 2 3 0 11 0 288
2016 295 1 20 4 1 0 11 0 332
2017 307 2 18 2 2 0 13 0 344
2018 307 1 18 3 1 0 13 0 343
2019 299 2 19 0 0 0 10 0 330
2020 277 1 19 3 0 0 9 0 309
2021 292 3 16 4 1 0 9 0 325
2022 290 2 10 5 0 0 11 0 318
2023 304 2 16 4 1 0 14 0 341
2024 308 1 19 3 0 0 15 0 346

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 Houghton Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 297 18.0 16.5 0
1999 313 19.0 16.5 0
2000 316 18.0 17.6 0
2001 308 16.6 18.6 0
2002 300 n/a n/a n/a
2003 300 n/a n/a n/a
2004 296 13.0 22.8 n/a
2005 286 14.2 20.1 n/a
2006 271 12.2 22.2 0
2007 255 13.2 19.3 23.6
2008 258 12.2 21.1 26.8
2009 291 13.0 22.4 30.7
2010 302 13.2 22.8 32.1
2011 303 11.2 27.0 29.4
2012 311 14.6 21.3 30.9
2013 303 13.3 22.7 29
2014 293 15.2 19.2 27.6
2015 288 15.0 19.2 29.2
2016 332 17.0 19.5 28
2017 344 18.1 19.0 25.6
2018 343 18.3 18.7 26.2
2019 330 19.0 17.3 27
2020 309 17.8 17.3 27.2
2021 325 16.2 20.0 30.5
2022 318 17.5 18.1 30.5
2023 341 19.1 17.8 32.3
2024 346 20.7 16.7 29.5

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 Houghton Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1998 297 18.0 16.5 0
1999 313 19.0 16.5 0
2000 316 18.0 17.6 0
2001 308 16.6 18.6 0
2002 300 n/a n/a n/a
2003 300 n/a n/a n/a
2004 296 13.0 22.8 n/a
2005 286 14.2 20.1 n/a
2006 271 12.2 22.2 0
2007 255 13.2 19.3 23.6
2008 258 12.2 21.1 26.8
2009 291 13.0 22.4 30.7
2010 302 13.2 22.8 32.1
2011 303 11.2 27.0 29.4
2012 311 14.6 21.3 30.9
2013 303 13.3 22.7 29
2014 293 15.2 19.2 27.6
2015 288 15.0 19.2 29.2
2016 332 17.0 19.5 28
2017 344 18.1 19.0 25.6
2018 343 18.3 18.7 26.2
2019 330 19.0 17.3 27
2020 309 17.8 17.3 27.2
2021 325 16.2 20.0 30.5
2022 318 17.5 18.1 30.5
2023 341 19.1 17.8 32.3
2024 346 20.7 16.7 29.5

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 Houghton Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $352 (4.0%) $8,415 (96.0%) $8,767
2020 $442 (4.9%) $8,508 (95.1%) $8,950
2021 $1,241 (13.0%) $8,338 (87.1%) $9,578
2022 $1,052 (10.5%) $8,974 (89.5%) $10,027
2023 $1,074 (9.5%) $10,196 (90.5%) $11,270

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Houghton 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 101st of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 48th of 883 Middle schools
 7.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Houghton Middle School)50.447
 3.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Houghton-Portage Township School District)50.447
 3.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Houghton Middle School)55.751.3
 4.4%
   6th Grade Math (Houghton-Portage Township School District)55.751.3
 4.4%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Houghton Middle School)60.672.3
 11.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Houghton-Portage Township School District)60.672.3
 11.7%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Houghton Middle School)61.570.3
 8.8%
   7th Grade Math (Houghton-Portage Township School District)61.570.3
 8.8%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Houghton Middle School)45.158.1
 13%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Houghton-Portage Township School District)45.158.1
 13%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Houghton Middle School)79.681.3
 1.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Houghton-Portage Township School District)79.681.3
 1.7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Houghton Middle School)48.764.2
 15.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Houghton-Portage Township School District)48.764.2
 15.5%
   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 Students330341
 3.3%
African American22
American Indian01
Asian1916
 15.8%
Hispanic04
Pacific Islander00
White299304
 1.7%
Two or More Races1014
 40%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients27%32.3%
 5.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Houghton Middle School

Students at Houghton Middle School are 89% White, 5% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

Students who attend Houghton Middle School usually go on to attend Houghton Central High School

In the 2023-24 school year, 346 students attended Houghton Middle School.

Yes! Houghton Middle School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 41st of 897 Michigan middle schools.


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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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