Central Elementary School

Summary:

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Portage, Michigan, serving 448 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Portage Public Schools district, which is ranked 123 out of 610 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

While Central Elementary has a higher percentage of white students (74.78%) compared to surrounding schools, it has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 5.9% in 2018-2019 to 18.8% in 2022-2023. This is higher than the district and state averages, which could be contributing to the school's lower academic performance. Central Elementary's test scores in core subjects are generally lower than the Portage Public Schools district average and the state average. For example, the school's 3rd-grade ELA proficiency rate was 35.5% in 2023-2024, compared to the district's 49.7% and the state's 39.6%.

Interestingly, Central Elementary has seen a substantial increase in spending per student, from $10,304 in 2019-2020 to $16,520 in 2022-2023, which is higher than the surrounding schools. However, this increased funding has not translated into improved student outcomes. When compared to other Portage Public Schools like Angling Road Elementary, 12th Street Elementary, and Lake Center Elementary, Central Elementary consistently underperforms academically, suggesting that the school may need to re-evaluate its resource allocation and strategies to better support student learning.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 8422 S Westnedge Ave
       Portage, MI  49002-5402


(269) 323-6100

District: Portage Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
527th of 1,486 Michigan Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $16,520 Help


Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Portage Central Middle School
High:    Portage Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.6 Help
Number of students:  448

Racial breakdown:

White:
74.8%
Two or more races:
9.6%
Hispanic:
6.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  33.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Central Elementary School ranks better than 64.5% of elementary schools in Michigan. It also ranks 7th among 8 ranked elementary schools in the Portage Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 61.6. (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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (74.8%), two or more races (9.6%), Hispanic (6.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 33.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 15.6, which is the 3rd best among 8 elementary schools in the Portage Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Central Elementary School employs 28.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Central Elementary School is $16,520, which is the 2nd highest among 8 elementary schools in the Portage Public Schools District.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Central Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Central Elementary School 527th of 1486 Michigan public elementary schools. (See Central Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


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


Portage Public Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks Portage Public Schools 123rd of 610 Michigan school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Central Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 65.60 565th 1545 63.4%
2007 66.72 547th 1565 65.0%
2008 67.47 567th 1577 64.0%
2009 63.41 706th 1589 55.6%
2010 68.12 594th 1552 61.7%
2011 73.57 386th 1552 75.1%
2012 58.33 665th 1566 57.5%
2013 60.70 620th 1563 60.3%
2014 58.20 674th 1533 56.0%
2015 54.45 729th 1580 53.9%
2016 49.92 793rd 1548 48.8%
2017 55.41 583rd 1466 60.2%
2018 61.87 584th 1448 59.7%
2019 60.26 519th 1408 63.1%
2021 57.40 419th 1153 63.7%
2022 48.19 646th 1344 51.9%
2023 61.91 522nd 1470 64.5%
2024 61.60 527th 1486 64.5%
See the entire list of Michigan Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.96 799th 1397 42.8%
2019 49.56 560th 1134 50.6%
2021 50.71 339th 749 54.7%
2022 43.40 603rd 1099 45.1%
2023 57.23 489th 1350 63.8%
2024 42.76 755th 1381 45.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.54 625th 1443 56.7%
2019 59.20 449th 1171 61.7%
2021 43.09 496th 902 45.0%
2022 38.42 669th 1106 39.5%
2023 47.70 637th 1321 51.8%
2024 48.29 644th 1342 52.0%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.73 520th 1446 64.0%
2019 56.16 490th 1196 59.0%
2021 61.38 309th 915 66.2%
2022 47.75 574th 1139 49.6%
2023 64.38 432nd 1334 67.6%
2024 62.88 453rd 1347 66.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for White students at Central Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 57.62 520th 1253 58.5%
2019 53.37 508th 1128 55.0%
2021 57.25 379th 1005 62.3%
2022 47.45 577th 1102 47.6%
2023 62.24 418th 1198 65.1%
2024 63.15 405th 1204 66.4%
See the entire list of Best Michigan Elementary 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.

Central Elementary 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 Central Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 433 16 2 9 0 n/a n/a 0 460
1989 449 14 5 4 0 n/a n/a -31 441
1990 449 17 4 3 0 n/a n/a -23 450
1991 466 20 2 2 0 n/a n/a 0 490
1992 456 22 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 480
1993 436 16 5 1 0 n/a n/a 0 458
1994 435 12 0 4 0 n/a n/a 0 451
1995 439 12 11 13 1 n/a n/a 0 476
1996 439 12 11 13 1 n/a n/a 0 476
1997 455 13 15 13 0 n/a n/a 0 496
1998 461 18 12 12 0 n/a n/a 0 503
1999 429 17 10 12 1 n/a n/a 0 469
2000 407 23 9 9 1 n/a n/a 0 449
2001 390 32 13 14 1 n/a n/a 0 450
2002 406 21 19 4 0 n/a n/a 2 452
2003 406 21 19 4 0 n/a n/a 2 452
2004 357 14 15 9 1 n/a n/a 2 398
2005 339 20 13 14 1 n/a n/a 2 389
2006 312 21 13 11 5 n/a n/a 3 365
2007 359 23 12 12 4 n/a n/a 4 414
2008 316 17 18 13 4 n/a n/a 2 370
2009 316 26 12 14 2 n/a n/a 1 371
2010 419 21 13 8 2 n/a n/a 3 466
2011 368 5 10 7 1 0 17 0 408
2012 344 6 7 6 1 0 26 0 390
2013 347 3 5 8 1 0 26 0 390
2014 333 6 5 19 0 1 36 0 400
2015 301 7 7 22 1 1 30 0 369
2016 322 5 8 23 1 1 32 0 392
2017 337 9 6 28 1 0 32 0 413
2018 365 9 6 25 1 0 34 0 440
2019 369 10 6 26 1 0 41 0 453
2020 376 12 8 30 0 0 36 0 462
2021 350 18 6 27 0 0 33 0 434
2022 346 22 8 29 0 0 32 0 437
2023 335 25 14 31 0 0 43 0 448

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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 460 n/a n/a n/a
1989 441 n/a n/a 4.3
1990 450 20.0 22.5 4.9
1991 490 n/a n/a n/a
1992 480 n/a n/a 10.2
1993 458 n/a 0.0 9.2
1994 451 20.8 21.7 7.5
1995 476 24.0 19.8 8.8
1996 476 24.0 19.8 8.8
1997 496 20.0 24.8 6.9
1998 503 20.0 25.2 7.4
1999 469 24.0 19.5 6.6
2000 449 23.1 19.4 15.6
2001 450 25.2 17.9 16.7
2002 452 24.9 18.2 16.9
2003 452 24.9 18.2 16.9
2004 398 26.2 15.2 16.9
2005 389 23.7 16.4 22.5
2006 365 27.0 13.5 24.6
2007 414 25.9 16.0 22.9
2008 370 25.2 14.7 29.3
2009 371 24.9 14.9 35.4
2010 466 24.1 19.2 31.3
2011 408 24.1 16.9 34.3
2012 390 21.8 17.8 38.7
2013 390 22.2 17.4 35.6
2014 400 26.0 15.3 37.5
2015 369 28.0 13.1 39
2016 392 29.0 13.5 38.5
2017 413 26.1 15.7 35.8
2018 440 24.1 18.2 36.8
2019 453 27.5 16.4 34
2020 462 28.1 16.4 34.2
2021 434 27.2 15.9 31.1
2022 437 26.8 16.3 34.6
2023 448 28.6 15.6 33.7

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 Central Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 460 n/a n/a n/a
1989 441 n/a n/a 4.3
1990 450 20.0 22.5 4.9
1991 490 n/a n/a n/a
1992 480 n/a n/a 10.2
1993 458 n/a 0.0 9.2
1994 451 20.8 21.7 7.5
1995 476 24.0 19.8 8.8
1996 476 24.0 19.8 8.8
1997 496 20.0 24.8 6.9
1998 503 20.0 25.2 7.4
1999 469 24.0 19.5 6.6
2000 449 23.1 19.4 15.6
2001 450 25.2 17.9 16.7
2002 452 24.9 18.2 16.9
2003 452 24.9 18.2 16.9
2004 398 26.2 15.2 16.9
2005 389 23.7 16.4 22.5
2006 365 27.0 13.5 24.6
2007 414 25.9 16.0 22.9
2008 370 25.2 14.7 29.3
2009 371 24.9 14.9 35.4
2010 466 24.1 19.2 31.3
2011 408 24.1 16.9 34.3
2012 390 21.8 17.8 38.7
2013 390 22.2 17.4 35.6
2014 400 26.0 15.3 37.5
2015 369 28.0 13.1 39
2016 392 29.0 13.5 38.5
2017 413 26.1 15.7 35.8
2018 440 24.1 18.2 36.8
2019 453 27.5 16.4 34
2020 462 28.1 16.4 34.2
2021 434 27.2 15.9 31.1
2022 437 26.8 16.3 34.6
2023 448 28.6 15.6 33.7

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 Central Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $744 (7.2%) $9,599 (92.8%) $10,344
2020 $743 (7.2%) $9,561 (92.8%) $10,304
2021 $1,152 (9.5%) $11,028 (90.5%) $12,180
2022 $775 (5.7%) $12,821 (94.3%) $13,596
2023 $1,095 (6.6%) $15,424 (93.4%) $16,520

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Central Elementary 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 519th of 1408 Elementary schoolsRanks 522nd of 1470 Elementary schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)54.456
 1.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Portage Public Schools)5854.5
 3.5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.140.9
 4.2%
3rd Grade Math (Central Elementary School)53.261.2
 8%
   3rd Grade Math (Portage Public Schools)61.860
 1.8%
   3rd Grade Math (Michigan)46.742.9
 3.8%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)56.746.7
 10%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Portage Public Schools)58.956.7
 2.2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)45.844.3
 1.5%
4th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)56.728
 28.7%
   4th Grade Math (Portage Public Schools)58.344.2
 14.1%
   4th Grade Math (Michigan)41.838.6
 3.2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Central Elementary School)47.847.1
 0.7%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Portage Public Schools)66.555
 11.5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Michigan)46.243.9
 2.3%
5th Grade Math (Central Elementary School)40.336.8
 3.5%
   5th Grade Math (Portage Public Schools)53.137.5
 15.6%
   5th Grade Math (Michigan)34.831.5
 3.3%
5th Grade Social Studies (Central Elementary School)17.929.4
 11.5%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Portage Public Schools)28.730.8
 2.1%
   5th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)17.418.6
 1.2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students453448
 1.1%
African American1025
 150%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian614
 133.3%
Hispanic2631
 19.2%
Pacific Islander00
White369335
 9.2%
Two or More Races4143
 4.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients34%33.7%
 0.3%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School ranks 527th of 1486 Michigan elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Portage Central Middle School
High : Portage Central High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 448 students attended Central Elementary School.

Students at Central Elementary School are 75% White, 10% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 6% African American, 3% Asian.


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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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