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Schools in Portage Township · Houghton-Portage Township Schools

Portage Township’s public schools outscore 96% of Michigan districts

In Portage Township, 63% of tested students are proficient in math, above the Michigan average (34%). The grade covers the public school district serving Portage 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.

#14of 699 Michigan townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Michigan state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% 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
68%
▲ 23 pts vs MI 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
63%
▲ 29 pts vs MI 34%
2021–22
Graduate on time
95–100%
▲ 13–18 pts vs MI 82%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.2K
▼ 20% vs MI $16.5K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.0
MI 16.5 · smaller classes
Schools in town
1
1,458 students on the public path
In brief

Portage Township’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 68% and math 63% in spring 2022, against 45% and 34% statewide; 95–100% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 82%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,225 per student, against $16,528 across Michigan (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 6 the district’s path is Houghton Middle School, then Houghton Central High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Copper Country Christian School (private) is in town. Every school ↓

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 Portage Township’s grade

A+ Test scoresA Graduation

A+: better than 96% of Michigan school districts, #14 of 699 Michigan towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Michigan average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Michigan school districts we grade (815)Better than 96%
Lower resultsHigher results
Michigan towns with similar household incomes (1236)Better than 100%
Towns in Houghton County (13)Better than 92%
AA+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 750 test results and a graduating class of 114 could put Portage Township anywhere from A to A+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Portage Township’s students in the tested grades sat them (750 in math, 750 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
K–5Houghton Elementary Schoolin HoughtonA
6–8Houghton Middle Schoolin HoughtonA
9–12Houghton Central High Schoolin HoughtonA+

Portage Township’s public schools are run by Houghton-Portage Township Schools, which also serves Houghton. Parts of Portage Township (19% of its land) are served by Baraga Area Schools 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.

Houghton-Portage Township SchoolsGrades K–12 · 3 schools · 1,458 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 16.0 per teacher (MI 16.5)
$13,225MI $16,528 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading68%
State average 45.4% · 750 students tested
Math63%
State average 33.6% · 750 students tested

Portage Township vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Portage TownshipA+Houghton-Portage Township Schools
HoughtonA+Houghton-Portage Township Schools
AdamsA−Adams Township
HancockA−Hancock
ChassellB+Chassell Township
Torch LakeA−Lake Linden-Hubbell
BaragaCBaraga Area Schools
Laird—L'Anse Area Schools
Elm River—Elm River Township
FranklinA−Hancock
Hancock Township—Hancock

Every school in Portage Township

4 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 Portage Townshipin other towns
Houghton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–5 · Houghton
A
618 students17:1Rate it →
Houghton Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Houghton
A
359 students16:1Rate it →
Houghton Central High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Houghton
A+
481 students15:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Copper Country Christian School
Grades PK–12 · Chassell
Private · Religious
22 students3:1Rate it →

Questions about Portage Township’s schools

Are Portage Township’s schools good?

By Michigan’s own tests, yes: the public schools Portage Township children attend outscore 96% of Michigan’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade, #14 of 699 Michigan towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 100%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Portage Township in?

Houghton-Portage Township Schools, which runs grades K–12 and enrolls 1,458 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Portage Township are served by Baraga Area Schools.

Where do Portage Township kids go to high school?

Houghton Central High School in Houghton, with 481 students; its own test results earn an A+.

What is Portage Township’s graduation rate?

95–100% of the class of 2023 in Houghton-Portage Township Schools graduated in four years, against 82% across Michigan.

How much does Portage Township spend per student?

$13,225 in Houghton-Portage Township Schools (FY2024), against $16,528 across Michigan. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Portage Township?

Yes: Copper Country Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 22 students).

Parents talk

What Portage Township families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Portage 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.