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Thunder Bay Junior High School

Summary:

Thunder Bay Junior High School is a public middle school in Alpena, Michigan, serving 844 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Alpena Public Schools district, which is ranked 313 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Thunder Bay Junior High School's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is consistently below the state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts (27.9% for 6th grade, 27% for 7th grade) and Math (24% for 6th grade, 23.5% for 7th grade) were significantly lower than the state averages of 37.5% and 31%, respectively. The school has also experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 10.8% in the 2019-2020 school year to 48.8% in the 2022-2023 school year, which is much higher than the state average of 22.8%.

Despite the school's high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds (59.72% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the state average of 49.1%) and an increase in spending per student from $9,515 in the 2019-2020 school year to $12,687 in the 2022-2023 school year, the school's academic performance has not shown significant improvement. This suggests that the school may need to re-evaluate its instructional strategies, support systems, and resource allocation to better address the needs of its students and improve learning outcomes.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 3500 S Third Ave
       Alpena, MI  49707-4105

(989) 358-5400

District: Alpena Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
547th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $12,687 Help


Students who attend Thunder Bay Junior High School usually attend:

High:    Alpena High School

Feeder schools for Thunder Bay Junior High School:

Elementary:    Besser Elementary School
    Ella M White Elementary
    Hinks Elementary
    Lincoln Elementary
    More...

Student/teacher ratio:  18.4 Help
Number of students:  844

Racial breakdown:

White:
91.5%
Two or more races:
3.8%
Hispanic:
3.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  59.7% Help


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 Compare Thunder Bay Junior High School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Thunder Bay Junior High School ranks worse than 61% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.28. (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 (91.5%), two or more races (3.8%), Hispanic (3.3%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 59.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Thunder Bay Junior High School is 18.4. (See more...)
Help
Compare Thunder Bay Junior High School employs 45.7 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Thunder Bay Junior High School is $12,687.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Thunder Bay Junior High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Thunder Bay Junior High School 547th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Thunder Bay Junior High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Hispanic students:
White students:


Alpena Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Alpena Public Schools 313th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Thunder Bay Junior High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 47.22 554th 806 31.3%
2007 49.00 542nd 823 34.1%
2008 56.46 485th 839 42.2%
2009 62.37 403rd 847 52.4%
2010 63.51 419th 851 50.8%
2011 62.28 398th 858 53.6%
2012 51.37 449th 900 50.1%
2013 53.76 424th 919 53.9%
2014 55.96 415th 921 54.9%
2015 60.92 334th 919 63.7%
2016 59.59 333rd 894 62.8%
2017 45.30 405th 821 50.7%
2018 56.75 377th 838 55.0%
2019 40.31 459th 792 42.0%
2021 25.73 516th 675 23.6%
2022 26.28 571st 776 26.4%
2023 31.09 598th 883 32.3%
2024 36.28 547th 897 39.0%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 22.75 132nd 163 19.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.07 280th 377 25.7%
2023 20.07 178th 199 10.6%
2024 20.25 177th 201 11.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.48 282nd 815 65.4%
2019 38.90 422nd 672 37.2%
2021 25.40 425th 523 18.7%
2022 21.91 566th 691 18.1%
2023 23.43 664th 825 19.5%
2024 37.13 517th 836 38.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 54.87 359th 794 54.8%
2019 37.95 402nd 658 38.9%
2021 23.25 429th 521 17.7%
2022 23.28 521st 657 20.7%
2023 26.33 573rd 770 25.6%
2024 28.85 557th 771 27.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 55.24 335th 797 58.0%
2019 34.12 428th 639 33.0%
2021 19.73 457th 540 15.4%
2022 21.16 536th 658 18.5%
2023 27.39 564th 776 27.3%
2024 34.65 518th 786 34.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2024 61.38 76th 257 70.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Thunder Bay Junior High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 40.88 395th 678 41.7%
2019 27.55 466th 624 25.3%
2021 18.30 492nd 577 14.7%
2022 16.65 563rd 638 11.8%
2023 18.29 597th 688 13.2%
2024 21.08 589th 701 16.0%
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.

Thunder Bay Junior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 
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Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Thunder Bay Junior High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 858 0 2 5 0 n/a n/a -3 862
1989 820 0 4 2 4 n/a n/a 0 830
1990 810 2 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 817
1991 830 4 1 1 2 n/a n/a 0 838
1992 874 2 2 2 5 n/a n/a 0 885
1993 950 3 3 2 2 n/a n/a 0 960
1994 984 4 3 2 2 n/a n/a 0 995
1995 957 3 5 3 6 n/a n/a 0 974
1996 957 3 5 3 6 n/a n/a 0 974
1997 969 4 6 3 5 n/a n/a 0 987
1998 924 9 18 4 2 n/a n/a 0 957
1999 866 6 9 4 9 n/a n/a 0 894
2000 886 6 5 4 4 n/a n/a 0 905
2001 871 10 8 0 3 n/a n/a 0 892
2002 862 5 8 2 3 n/a n/a 0 880
2003 862 5 8 2 3 n/a n/a 0 880
2004 842 6 4 5 3 n/a n/a 0 860
2005 805 5 7 2 0 n/a n/a 0 819
2006 773 5 8 1 3 n/a n/a 7 797
2007 750 6 7 1 3 n/a n/a 6 773
2008 736 4 6 1 3 n/a n/a 7 757
2009 695 2 4 1 0 n/a n/a 7 709
2010 629 4 4 2 2 n/a n/a 7 648
2011 943 4 4 2 9 0 13 0 975
2012 947 4 6 3 10 1 18 0 989
2013 940 8 7 6 5 2 13 0 981
2014 923 9 5 12 7 2 18 0 976
2015 862 8 4 11 7 1 12 0 905
2016 845 4 3 9 6 0 14 0 881
2017 827 4 2 10 2 0 16 0 861
2018 808 5 4 12 2 0 28 0 859
2019 789 8 5 15 5 0 24 0 846
2020 747 7 4 15 1 0 31 0 805
2021 755 7 2 18 2 0 27 0 811
2022 757 8 2 27 3 0 34 0 831
2023 772 7 2 28 3 0 32 0 844

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 Thunder Bay Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 862 n/a n/a n/a
1989 830 n/a n/a 18.9
1990 817 42.0 19.4 15.7
1991 838 n/a n/a n/a
1992 885 n/a n/a 22.4
1993 960 n/a 0.0 22.3
1994 995 44.0 22.6 19.6
1995 974 44.1 22.1 22.3
1996 974 44.1 22.1 22.3
1997 987 46.0 21.5 24.3
1998 957 44.0 21.8 23.9
1999 894 42.0 21.3 23.4
2000 905 42.0 21.5 33.9
2001 892 42.3 21.1 34.8
2002 880 42.5 20.7 40.8
2003 880 42.5 20.7 40.8
2004 860 40.0 21.5 43.6
2005 819 42.1 19.5 40.3
2006 797 40.5 19.7 41.8
2007 773 38.4 20.1 41.2
2008 757 34.5 21.9 41.2
2009 709 33.6 21.1 46.9
2010 648 32.7 19.8 45.9
2011 975 43.9 22.1 49.5
2012 989 46.3 21.3 52.9
2013 981 45.5 21.5 53.2
2014 976 44.7 21.8 50.1
2015 905 47.0 19.2 53.6
2016 881 44.0 20.0 57.4
2017 861 43.5 19.7 54.5
2018 859 42.9 19.9 56.6
2019 846 42.7 19.7 56.4
2020 805 42.4 18.9 58.1
2021 811 41.8 19.4 59.2
2022 831 42.4 19.5 56.9
2023 844 45.7 18.4 59.7

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 Thunder Bay Junior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 862 n/a n/a n/a
1989 830 n/a n/a 18.9
1990 817 42.0 19.4 15.7
1991 838 n/a n/a n/a
1992 885 n/a n/a 22.4
1993 960 n/a 0.0 22.3
1994 995 44.0 22.6 19.6
1995 974 44.1 22.1 22.3
1996 974 44.1 22.1 22.3
1997 987 46.0 21.5 24.3
1998 957 44.0 21.8 23.9
1999 894 42.0 21.3 23.4
2000 905 42.0 21.5 33.9
2001 892 42.3 21.1 34.8
2002 880 42.5 20.7 40.8
2003 880 42.5 20.7 40.8
2004 860 40.0 21.5 43.6
2005 819 42.1 19.5 40.3
2006 797 40.5 19.7 41.8
2007 773 38.4 20.1 41.2
2008 757 34.5 21.9 41.2
2009 709 33.6 21.1 46.9
2010 648 32.7 19.8 45.9
2011 975 43.9 22.1 49.5
2012 989 46.3 21.3 52.9
2013 981 45.5 21.5 53.2
2014 976 44.7 21.8 50.1
2015 905 47.0 19.2 53.6
2016 881 44.0 20.0 57.4
2017 861 43.5 19.7 54.5
2018 859 42.9 19.9 56.6
2019 846 42.7 19.7 56.4
2020 805 42.4 18.9 58.1
2021 811 41.8 19.4 59.2
2022 831 42.4 19.5 56.9
2023 844 45.7 18.4 59.7

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 Thunder Bay Junior High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $597 (6.5%) $8,617 (93.5%) $9,215
2020 $523 (5.5%) $8,991 (94.5%) $9,514
2021 $854 (8.5%) $9,222 (91.5%) $10,076
2022 $1,251 (11.7%) $9,452 (88.3%) $10,703
2023 $1,255 (9.9%) $11,432 (90.1%) $12,687

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Thunder Bay Junior High 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 459th of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 598th of 883 Middle schools
 9.8%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Thunder Bay Junior High School)34.223.1
 11.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)34.223.1
 11.1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Thunder Bay Junior High School)20.318.2
 2.1%
   6th Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)20.318.2
 2.1%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Thunder Bay Junior High School)37.920.8
 17.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)37.920.8
 17.1%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Thunder Bay Junior High School)30.715.5
 15.2%
   7th Grade Math (Alpena Public Schools)30.715.5
 15.2%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Thunder Bay Junior High School)21.922.3
 0.4%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Alpena Public Schools)21.922
 0.1%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Thunder Bay Junior High School)59.955
 4.9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Alpena Public Schools)59.954.6
 5.3%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Thunder Bay Junior High School)4327.1
 15.9%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Alpena Public Schools)4326.9
 16.1%
   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 Students846844
 0.2%
African American87
 12.5%
American Indian53
 40%
Asian52
 60%
Hispanic1528
 86.7%
Pacific Islander00
White789772
 2.2%
Two or More Races2432
 33.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients56.4%59.7%
 3.3%

Schools Near Thunder Bay Junior High School








Frequently Asked Questions about Thunder Bay Junior High School

Thunder Bay Junior High School ranks 547th of 897 Michigan middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 844 students attended Thunder Bay Junior High School.

Students at Thunder Bay Junior High School are 91% White, 4% Two or more races, 3% Hispanic.

Students who attend Thunder Bay Junior High School usually go on to attend Alpena High School


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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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