Best Public Schools in Niles, MI

The city of Niles, Michigan is home to 16 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 6 high schools, and 2 alternative schools. The schools in Niles serve a diverse student population, with racial demographics varying across the district. While some schools, like Eastside Connections School and Niles Senior High School, are performing well with strong test scores and graduation rates, others, such as Ballard Elementary School and Brandywine Innovation Academy, face challenges with low test scores, high absenteeism, and low graduation rates.

The data reveals a correlation between the socioeconomic status of the student population and the academic performance of the schools. Schools with higher percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, like Ballard Elementary and Brandywine Innovation Academy, tend to have lower test scores and graduation rates. Additionally, the alternative and special education schools in the Niles Community Schools district, such as Southside Special Educ School and Niles Cedar Lane, face significant challenges, with low graduation rates and high dropout and absenteeism rates.

Despite the disparities in performance, the district has some standout schools, like Eastside Connections School, which consistently ranks among the top elementary schools in Michigan, and Niles Senior High School, which boasts a high graduation rate and above-average test scores. The data highlights areas where the district can focus its efforts to improve student outcomes, such as addressing chronic absenteeism, supporting alternative and special education schools, and exploring strategies to raise performance at the lower-performing schools.