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B−
Schools in Howard Township · Niles Community School District

Howard Township’s public schools outscore 54% of Michigan districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Howard Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#473of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
42%
▼ 3 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
35%
▲ 1 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
77%
▼ 5 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.9K
▼ 16% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
18.8
MI 16.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
1
2,288 students on the public path
In brief

Howard Township’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1137 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Howard Township’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 54% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state in math, below in reading

Reading proficiency is 42% and math 35% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 77% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,861 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then three middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Howard Township’s grade

B Test scoresC Graduation

B−: better than 54% of Michigan school districts, #473 of 699 Michigan towns. Both inputs trail the Michigan average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 54%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1137)Better than 35%
Towns in Cass County (15)Better than 47%
B−BA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,612 test results and a graduating class of 275 could put Howard Township anywhere from B− to B. The tests are from spring 2022, when 95% of Howard Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,610 in math, 1,613 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Howard Township, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–5HowardEllis Elementary SchoolNiles Community School DistrictB−
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB− to A−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB−

Howard Township’s public schools are run by Niles Community School District, which also serves Niles and Niles. Parts of Howard Township (15% and 10% of its land) are served by Edwardsburg and Cassopolis instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Niles Community School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 11 schools · 3,107 students, down 8% since 2020–21 · 18.8 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$13,861MI $16,528 · FY2024
B−
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading42%
State average 45.4% · 1613 students tested
Math35%
State average 33.6% · 1610 students tested

Howard Township vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Michigan towns that share Howard Township’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Howard TownshipB−Niles
NilesB−Niles
JeffersonA−Cassopolis PK–12 · Edwardsburg K–12
MiltonA−Brandywine PK–12 · Edwardsburg K–12
Niles TownshipBNiles PK–12 · Buchanan PK–12 · Brandywine PK–12
PokagonCDowagiac Union Schools PK–12 · Cassopolis PK–12

2 of the 5 neighbors share Niles with Howard Township, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Howard Township

5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Michigan’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Howard Townshipby address
HowardEllis Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Niles
B−
529 students19:1Rate it →
Also serving Howard Townshipin other towns
Eastside Connections School
Elementary · Grades K–8 · Niles
A−
403 students19:1Rate it →
Niles Virtual School
Grades K–12 · Niles
18 students11:1Rate it →
Ring Lardner Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Niles
B−
510 students17:1Rate it →
Niles Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Niles
B−
828 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Howard Township’s schools

Are Howard Township’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Michigan: the public schools Howard Township children attend outscore 54% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B− Schools grade, #473 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Howard Township in?

Niles Community School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,107 students in 11 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Howard Township are served by Edwardsburg and Cassopolis.

Where do Howard Township kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Niles Senior High School and Niles Virtual School.

What is Howard Township’s graduation rate?

77% of the class of 2023 in Niles Community School District graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Howard Township spend per student?

$13,861 in Niles Community School District (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Howard Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Howard Township → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Michigan. Stars are from neighbors.