Schools in Newton Township · Harper Creek Community Schools

Newton Township’s public schools outscore 57% of Michigan districts

The grade covers the public school district serving Newton Township, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. 39% of students in Newton Township’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Michigan average (45%). Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Michigan, not nationally.

#445of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% 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

39%

▼ 6 pts vs MI 45%

2021–22

Math proficiency

29%

▼ 5 pts vs MI 34%

2021–22

Graduate on time

88%

▲ 6 pts vs MI 82%

class of 2023

Spent per student

$14.8K

▼ 10% vs MI $16.5K

FY2024

Students per teacher

17.5

MI 16.5 · larger classes

Schools in town

2,778 students on the public path

In brief

Newton Township’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 1185 Michigan towns with household incomes within a quarter of Newton Township’s, its schools beat 44%, lower than their 57% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 45% and 34% statewide; 97% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,830 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 5 the district’s path is Harper Creek Middle School, then Harper Creek High School. 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 Newton Township’s grade

B⁻ Test scoresB⁺ Graduation

B: better than 57% of Michigan school districts, #445 of 699 Michigan towns. Graduation is above the Michigan average; test scores are below it.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 57%

Lower resultsHigher results

Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1185)Better than 44%

Towns in Calhoun County (19)Better than 84%

B⁻B⁺A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,426 test results and a graduating class of 216 could put Newton Township anywhere from B− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Newton Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,425 in math, 1,427 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

Kindergarten in Newton Township · depends on your address

Wattles Park Elementary School

Grades K–4 · 375 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Battle Creek

Sonoma Elementary

Grades K–4 · 351 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Battle Creek

B⁻

Beadle Lake Elementary School

Grades PK–4 · 333 students · 15:1 students per teacher · in Battle Creek

C⁺

The path, start to finish

K–43 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC⁺ to B

5–8Harper Creek Middle Schoolin Battle CreekC

9–12Harper Creek High Schoolin Battle CreekC⁺

Newton Township’s public schools are run by Harper Creek Community Schools, which also serves Emmett. Parts of Newton Township (16% of its land) are served by Union City 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.

Harper Creek Community SchoolsGrades PK–12 · 5 schools · 2,778 students, up 3% since 2020–21 · 17.5 per teacher (MI 16.5)

$14,830MI $16,528 · FY2024

Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading39%

State average 45.4% · 1427 students tested

Math29%

State average 33.6% · 1425 students tested

Newton Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door

Town	Schools	Main districts
Newton Township	B	Harper Creek
Leroy	B⁻	Athens Area Schools
Emmett	B	Harper Creek
Burlington	B⁻	Union City
Fredonia	B	Marshall

Every school in Newton 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).

Also serving Newton Townshipin other towns

Beadle Lake Elementary School

Elementary · Grades PK–4 · Battle Creek

C⁺

333 students15:1Rate it →

Wattles Park Elementary School

Elementary · Grades K–4 · Battle Creek

375 students17:1Rate it →

Sonoma Elementary

Elementary · Grades K–4 · Battle Creek

B⁻

351 students16:1Rate it →

Harper Creek Middle School

Middle · Grades 5–8 · Battle Creek

896 students18:1Rate it →

Harper Creek High School

High · Grades 9–12 · Battle Creek

C⁺

823 students19:1Rate it →

Questions about Newton Township’s schools

Are Newton Township’s schools good?

They sit near the middle of Michigan: the public schools Newton Township children attend outscore 57% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #445 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 44%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Newton Township in?

Harper Creek Community Schools, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 2,778 students in 5 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Newton Township are served by Union City.

Where do Newton Township kids go to high school?

Harper Creek High School in Battle Creek, with 823 students; its own test results earn a C+.

What is Newton Township’s graduation rate?

88% of the class of 2023 in Harper Creek Community Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Newton Township spend per student?

$14,830 in Harper Creek Community Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Newton Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →

Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Newton 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.