Western Middle School

Summary:

Western Middle School is a public middle school located in Auburn, Michigan, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 726 students. The school is part of the Bay City School District, which is ranked 360 out of 610 districts in Michigan and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Western Middle School consistently outperforms the Bay City School District and the state of Michigan in academic assessments across various subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 39.6% of 6th graders at Western Middle School were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 34.1% for the district and 37.5% for the state. However, the school's racial diversity is lower than nearby schools, with 88.43% of students being White. Additionally, Western Middle School has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, from 11.2% in 2017-2018 to 30.3% in 2021-2022, which is higher than the state average and nearby schools.

While Western Middle School outperforms the Bay City School District and the state in many academic metrics, it is not the top-performing school in the region. Schools like Jefferson Middle School and Northeast Middle School in the Midland Public Schools district consistently rank higher and have stronger academic outcomes. Examining the practices and strategies of these higher-performing schools could provide insights for Western Middle School to improve its performance and address the challenges it faces, such as the achievement gap and chronic absenteeism.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 500 W Midland Rd
       Auburn, MI  48611-9300


(989) 662-4489

District: Bay City School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
247th of 897 Michigan Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,755 Help


Students who attend Western Middle School usually attend:

High:    Bay City Western High School

Feeder schools for Western Middle School:

Elementary:    Auburn Elementary School
    Mackensen Elementary School
    McAlearSawden Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.0 Help
Number of students:  726

Racial breakdown:

White:
88.4%
Hispanic:
6.1%
Two or more races:
3.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  36.2% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Western Middle School ranks better than 72.5% of middle schools in Michigan. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.03. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 (88.4%), Hispanic (6.1%), two or more races (3.3%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 36.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Western Middle School is 19. (See more...)
Help
Compare Western Middle School employs 38 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Western Middle School is $13,755.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Western Middle School:

SchoolDigger ranks Western Middle School 247th of 897 Michigan public middle schools. (See Western Middle School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Bay City School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Bay City School District 360th of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Western Middle School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 73.53 202nd 806 74.9%
2007 71.42 238th 823 71.1%
2008 67.91 297th 839 64.6%
2009 73.24 218th 847 74.3%
2010 69.74 290th 851 65.9%
2011 70.37 258th 858 69.9%
2012 70.43 236th 900 73.8%
2013 71.51 218th 919 76.3%
2014 75.40 182nd 921 80.2%
2015 75.74 170th 919 81.5%
2016 72.08 203rd 894 77.3%
2017 63.31 243rd 821 70.4%
2018 70.58 229th 838 72.7%
2019 58.97 283rd 792 64.3%
2021 50.97 284th 675 57.9%
2022 60.40 250th 776 67.8%
2023 54.23 338th 883 61.7%
2024 65.03 247th 897 72.5%
See the entire list of Michigan Middle School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.36 45th 156 71.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.06 153rd 377 59.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.60 279th 815 65.8%
2019 36.73 442nd 672 34.2%
2021 37.16 343rd 523 34.4%
2022 45.65 365th 691 47.2%
2023 38.57 507th 825 38.5%
2024 48.17 386th 836 53.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 69.50 211th 794 73.4%
2019 53.27 284th 658 56.8%
2021 39.60 299th 521 42.6%
2022 54.21 242nd 657 63.2%
2023 43.70 403rd 770 47.7%
2024 53.33 291st 771 62.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 67.77 221st 797 72.3%
2019 55.49 238th 639 62.8%
2021 51.61 214th 540 60.4%
2022 56.58 241st 658 63.4%
2023 53.69 304th 776 60.8%
2024 66.72 207th 786 73.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2023 40.46 147th 246 40.2%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Middle Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Western Middle School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.13 253rd 678 62.7%
2019 47.11 308th 624 50.6%
2021 46.86 266th 577 53.9%
2022 49.48 285th 638 55.3%
2023 43.36 355th 688 48.4%
2024 56.44 249th 701 64.5%
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.

Western Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: Michigan Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Western Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 599 0 5 12 17 n/a n/a 0 633
1989 641 0 4 10 12 n/a n/a 0 667
1990 653 0 3 11 8 n/a n/a 0 675
1991 722 0 3 19 15 n/a n/a 0 759
1992 748 0 2 27 7 n/a n/a 0 784
1993 766 0 1 23 11 n/a n/a 0 801
1994 816 2 1 24 12 n/a n/a 0 855
1995 874 4 1 15 7 n/a n/a 0 901
1996 874 4 1 15 7 n/a n/a 0 901
1997 829 2 3 16 4 n/a n/a 0 854
1998 865 3 3 14 4 n/a n/a 0 889
1999 849 3 2 16 3 n/a n/a 0 873
2000 870 5 7 20 4 n/a n/a 0 906
2001 853 8 6 19 6 n/a n/a 0 892
2002 887 15 3 20 1 n/a n/a 0 926
2003 887 15 3 20 1 n/a n/a 0 926
2004 879 10 4 19 1 n/a n/a 1 914
2005 873 9 5 14 4 n/a n/a 0 905
2006 855 7 4 18 2 n/a n/a 0 886
2007 791 7 3 23 1 n/a n/a 0 825
2008 769 5 7 21 1 n/a n/a 1 804
2009 794 8 10 16 2 n/a n/a 2 832
2010 831 8 13 18 3 n/a n/a 4 877
2011 807 6 9 24 4 0 18 0 868
2012 816 3 8 27 3 0 21 0 878
2013 852 7 5 18 6 0 2 0 890
2014 861 6 6 20 5 1 12 0 911
2015 852 3 8 16 2 1 6 0 888
2016 840 4 8 16 1 0 7 0 876
2017 819 6 6 26 0 1 11 0 869
2018 817 6 3 27 2 0 22 0 877
2019 820 6 3 37 2 0 29 0 897
2020 728 6 7 36 0 0 25 0 802
2021 688 5 8 40 1 0 27 0 769
2022 642 3 8 35 2 0 25 0 715
2023 642 9 4 44 3 0 24 0 726

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 Western Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 633 n/a n/a n/a
1989 667 n/a n/a 0
1990 675 34.0 19.8 n/a
1991 759 n/a n/a n/a
1992 784 n/a n/a n/a
1993 801 n/a 0.0 15
1994 855 32.5 26.3 0
1995 901 37.5 24.0 0
1996 901 37.5 24.0 0
1997 854 37.0 23.1 0
1998 889 38.0 23.4 0
1999 873 38.0 23.0 0
2000 906 41.6 21.8 0
2001 892 44.1 20.2 0
2002 926 49.9 18.6 n/a
2003 926 49.9 18.6 n/a
2004 914 46.7 19.6 n/a
2005 905 42.6 21.2 n/a
2006 886 42.2 21.0 0
2007 825 40.8 20.2 21.9
2008 804 38.3 21.0 22.5
2009 832 38.8 21.4 27.1
2010 877 41.1 21.3 29.2
2011 868 39.7 21.8 31
2012 878 39.5 22.1 32
2013 890 42.7 20.8 30
2014 911 43.4 20.9 30.6
2015 888 44.0 20.1 22.7
2016 876 43.0 20.3 31.4
2017 869 42.6 20.3 27.4
2018 877 41.9 20.9 30.3
2019 897 44.5 20.1 32
2020 802 42.9 18.6 30.5
2021 769 39.3 19.5 30.2
2022 715 36.2 19.7 30.6
2023 726 38.0 19.0 36.2

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 Western Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 633 n/a n/a n/a
1989 667 n/a n/a 0
1990 675 34.0 19.8 n/a
1991 759 n/a n/a n/a
1992 784 n/a n/a n/a
1993 801 n/a 0.0 15
1994 855 32.5 26.3 0
1995 901 37.5 24.0 0
1996 901 37.5 24.0 0
1997 854 37.0 23.1 0
1998 889 38.0 23.4 0
1999 873 38.0 23.0 0
2000 906 41.6 21.8 0
2001 892 44.1 20.2 0
2002 926 49.9 18.6 n/a
2003 926 49.9 18.6 n/a
2004 914 46.7 19.6 n/a
2005 905 42.6 21.2 n/a
2006 886 42.2 21.0 0
2007 825 40.8 20.2 21.9
2008 804 38.3 21.0 22.5
2009 832 38.8 21.4 27.1
2010 877 41.1 21.3 29.2
2011 868 39.7 21.8 31
2012 878 39.5 22.1 32
2013 890 42.7 20.8 30
2014 911 43.4 20.9 30.6
2015 888 44.0 20.1 22.7
2016 876 43.0 20.3 31.4
2017 869 42.6 20.3 27.4
2018 877 41.9 20.9 30.3
2019 897 44.5 20.1 32
2020 802 42.9 18.6 30.5
2021 769 39.3 19.5 30.2
2022 715 36.2 19.7 30.6
2023 726 38.0 19.0 36.2

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 Western Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $562 (6.0%) $8,772 (94.0%) $9,334
2020 $556 (5.3%) $9,853 (94.7%) $10,409
2021 $1,352 (12.3%) $9,605 (87.7%) $10,957
2022 $2,102 (16.6%) $10,554 (83.4%) $12,656
2023 $2,158 (15.7%) $11,597 (84.3%) $13,755

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Western Middle 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 283rd of 792 Middle schoolsRanks 338th of 883 Middle schools
 2.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Western Middle School)46.439
 7.4%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Bay City School District)34.331.4
 2.9%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)41.737.5
 4.2%
6th Grade Math (Western Middle School)35.525.8
 9.7%
   6th Grade Math (Bay City School District)26.819.1
 7.7%
   6th Grade Math (Michigan)35.129.6
 5.5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Western Middle School)43.334.3
 9%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Bay City School District)36.926.4
 10.5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)42.736.9
 5.8%
7th Grade Math (Western Middle School)38.331.6
 6.7%
   7th Grade Math (Bay City School District)30.821.8
 9%
   7th Grade Math (Michigan)35.731
 4.7%
8th Grade Social Studies (Western Middle School)27.427.3
 0.1%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Bay City School District)22.722.5
 0.2%
   8th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)2826.7
 1.3%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Western Middle School)64.969.7
 4.8%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Bay City School District)56.162.1
 6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)61.959.7
 2.2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Western Middle School)50.833.3
 17.5%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Bay City School District)37.725.7
 12%
   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 Students897726
 19.1%
African American69
 50%
American Indian23
 50%
Asian34
 33.3%
Hispanic3744
 18.9%
Pacific Islander00
White820642
 21.7%
Two or More Races2924
 17.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients32%36.2%
 4.2%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Western Middle School

Western Middle School ranks 247th of 897 Michigan middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Western Middle School are 88% White, 6% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 1% African American.

In the 2022-23 school year, 726 students attended Western Middle School.

Students who attend Western Middle School usually go on to attend Bay City Western 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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