Portage Northern High School

Summary:

Portage Northern High School is a public high school serving 1,252 students in grades 9-12 in Portage, Michigan, which is part of the Portage Public Schools district. The school consistently performs above the state average in academic assessments, with 70.2% of students proficient or better in SAT/Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, compared to the state average of 51.3%. Portage Northern also maintains a high 95.1% four-year graduation rate, well above the state average.

While Portage Northern High School has a more diverse student population compared to the nearby Portage Central High School, it has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, from 12.3% in 2018-2019 to 23.5% in 2022-2023. The school also shows varying performance among different student subgroups, with higher rankings for female and Hispanic students, but lower rankings for Asian students and those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This suggests the need for targeted interventions to support these underperforming subgroups.

Compared to the nearby Portage Community High School, Portage Northern High School outperforms in academic achievement and graduation rates. However, Portage Central High School consistently maintains higher academic achievement and graduation rates than Portage Northern. Additionally, Portage Northern has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (30.67%) compared to Portage Central (16.06%), indicating a higher proportion of students from lower-income families.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 1000 Idaho Ave
       Portage, MI  49024-1233


(616) 323-5400

District: Portage Public Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
132nd of 743 Michigan High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,693 Help


Feeder schools for Portage Northern High School:

Elementary:    Angling Road Elementary School
    Haverhill Elementary School
Middle:    Portage North Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  20.3 Help
Number of students:  1,252

Racial breakdown:

White:
66.9%
Two or more races:
10.0%
Hispanic:
8.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  30.7% Help


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 Compare Portage Northern High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Portage Northern High School ranks better than 82.2% of high schools in Michigan. It also ranks 2nd among 3 ranked high schools in the Portage Public Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 77.4. (See more...)
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The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Portage Northern High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
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The high school dropout rate measures the percentage of students who do not complete their high school education.
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 (66.9%), two or more races (10%), Hispanic (8.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 30.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Portage Northern High School is 20.3. 1 high schools in the Portage Public Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Portage Northern High School employs 61.4 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Portage Northern High School is $13,693. 1 high schools in the Portage Public Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Portage Northern High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Portage Northern High School 132nd of 743 Michigan public high schools. (See Portage Northern High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Multi-racial students:
Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
Asian students:
African American students:
Hispanic 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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Your rating for Portage Northern High School?

Rank History for Portage Northern High School

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Compare

Rank History for all students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 84.45 82nd 705 88.4%
2007 88.19 53rd 767 93.1%
2008 85.27 91st 750 87.9%
2009 89.22 55th 754 92.7%
2010 88.05 48th 765 93.7%
2011 83.05 97th 784 87.6%
2012 87.68 78th 773 89.9%
2013 87.47 84th 805 89.6%
2014 87.91 68th 799 91.5%
2015 92.79 36th 832 95.7%
2016 89.41 61st 852 92.8%
2017 87.08 78th 835 90.7%
2018 83.34 114th 824 86.2%
2019 90.57 55th 666 91.7%
2021 83.97 68th 561 87.9%
2022 83.39 86th 531 83.8%
2023 82.09 104th 735 85.9%
2024 77.40 132nd 743 82.2%
See the entire list of Michigan High School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 50.73 41st 93 55.9%
2019 72.46 10th 36 72.2%
2021 65.06 8th 24 66.7%
2022 35.90 21st 32 34.4%
2023 72.14 26th 110 76.4%
2024 44.50 48th 105 54.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 70.79 36th 315 88.6%
2023 59.66 46th 116 60.3%
2024 64.52 34th 130 73.8%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.94 204th 755 73.0%
2019 66.41 140th 532 73.7%
2021 62.92 125th 417 70.0%
2022 68.35 112th 369 69.6%
2023 67.38 164th 614 73.3%
2024 65.52 181st 654 72.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 80.69 109th 710 84.6%
2019 81.51 82nd 554 85.2%
2021 81.26 65th 462 85.9%
2022 77.13 96th 416 76.9%
2023 76.50 102nd 611 83.3%
2024 75.70 116th 619 81.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Male students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 79.91 114th 707 83.9%
2019 92.60 33rd 543 93.9%
2021 77.78 74th 472 84.3%
2022 83.75 72nd 440 83.6%
2023 80.59 99th 611 83.8%
2024 71.80 150th 633 76.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for Asian students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 41.19 57th 87 34.5%
2023 48.57 33rd 63 47.6%
2024 68.40 26th 70 62.9%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Asian Students!

Rank History for African American students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 61.77 66th 254 74.0%
2019 62.55 51st 147 65.3%
2023 57.62 56th 170 67.1%
2024 69.78 39th 188 79.3%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 62.59 62nd 201 69.2%
2019 87.22 9th 97 90.7%
2022 49.39 43rd 83 48.2%
2023 43.18 102nd 190 46.3%
2024 82.28 24th 195 87.7%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Portage Northern High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools MI State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 83.01 94th 708 86.7%
2019 91.04 44th 582 92.4%
2021 83.00 71st 516 86.2%
2022 84.05 75th 492 84.8%
2023 82.16 91st 647 85.9%
2024 71.96 140th 638 78.1%
See the entire list of Best Michigan High 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.

Portage Northern High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 



Data source: Michigan Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

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Reviews:
by a parent
Thursday, December 14, 2017

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Enrollment information for Portage Northern 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 1195 61 49 15 10 n/a n/a -48 1282
1989 1093 74 47 18 7 n/a n/a -53 1186
1990 1072 62 43 11 6 n/a n/a -60 1134
1991 971 68 56 24 6 n/a n/a 0 1125
1992 976 70 57 21 8 n/a n/a 0 1132
1993 958 46 70 32 28 n/a n/a 0 1134
1994 974 56 78 36 21 n/a n/a 0 1165
1995 1069 57 64 32 9 n/a n/a 0 1231
1996 1069 57 64 32 9 n/a n/a 0 1231
1997 1076 71 60 30 6 n/a n/a 0 1243
1998 1144 69 51 27 2 n/a n/a 0 1293
1999 1090 72 53 20 4 n/a n/a 0 1239
2000 1061 75 49 18 4 n/a n/a 0 1207
2001 1112 77 56 19 3 n/a n/a 0 1267
2002 1243 82 56 17 3 n/a n/a 2 1403
2003 1243 82 56 17 3 n/a n/a 2 1403
2004 1176 85 61 22 6 n/a n/a 4 1354
2005 1169 93 58 16 7 n/a n/a 5 1348
2006 1169 103 73 24 6 n/a n/a 4 1379
2007 1070 119 72 28 4 n/a n/a 4 1297
2008 1120 127 65 23 4 n/a n/a 3 1342
2009 1102 112 66 18 4 n/a n/a 2 1304
2010 1073 110 74 27 5 n/a n/a 4 1293
2011 1034 99 64 35 2 0 58 0 1292
2012 1035 116 77 41 9 1 36 0 1315
2013 1034 131 78 62 3 2 59 0 1369
2014 1017 106 87 66 4 0 100 0 1380
2015 997 89 92 87 1 1 119 0 1386
2016 1019 85 75 81 1 1 112 0 1374
2017 984 79 84 88 2 1 112 0 1350
2018 941 84 84 86 3 1 116 0 1315
2019 898 93 94 89 3 0 113 0 1290
2020 859 96 95 98 3 0 114 0 1265
2021 841 110 84 96 3 0 128 0 1262
2022 867 101 85 108 1 1 126 0 1289
2023 837 106 73 108 2 1 125 0 1252

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 Portage Northern High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1282 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1186 n/a n/a 1.3
1990 1134 80.0 14.1 1.2
1991 1125 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1132 n/a n/a 3.2
1993 1134 n/a 0.0 3.3
1994 1165 58.2 20.0 2.1
1995 1231 70.7 17.4 3.1
1996 1231 70.7 17.4 3.1
1997 1243 64.0 19.4 4
1998 1293 61.0 21.2 4.3
1999 1239 72.0 17.2 4.8
2000 1207 65.2 18.5 7.9
2001 1267 69.2 18.3 7
2002 1403 60.7 23.1 11
2003 1403 60.7 23.1 11
2004 1354 71.9 18.8 10.7
2005 1348 72.2 18.7 13.2
2006 1379 71.1 19.4 15.3
2007 1297 74.5 17.4 18.9
2008 1342 72.9 18.4 18
2009 1304 75.2 17.3 20.2
2010 1293 72.6 17.8 19.5
2011 1292 66.1 19.5 21.1
2012 1315 62.4 21.0 22.7
2013 1369 62.4 21.9 22.9
2014 1380 65.6 21.0 21.8
2015 1386 63.0 22.0 22.5
2016 1374 62.0 22.1 21.8
2017 1350 64.4 20.9 21
2018 1315 61.0 21.5 27.8
2019 1290 59.5 21.6 24.9
2020 1265 60.2 20.9 26.5
2021 1262 62.1 20.2 26.9
2022 1289 60.0 21.4 27.2
2023 1252 61.4 20.3 30.7

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 Portage Northern High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1282 n/a n/a n/a
1989 1186 n/a n/a 1.3
1990 1134 80.0 14.1 1.2
1991 1125 n/a n/a n/a
1992 1132 n/a n/a 3.2
1993 1134 n/a 0.0 3.3
1994 1165 58.2 20.0 2.1
1995 1231 70.7 17.4 3.1
1996 1231 70.7 17.4 3.1
1997 1243 64.0 19.4 4
1998 1293 61.0 21.2 4.3
1999 1239 72.0 17.2 4.8
2000 1207 65.2 18.5 7.9
2001 1267 69.2 18.3 7
2002 1403 60.7 23.1 11
2003 1403 60.7 23.1 11
2004 1354 71.9 18.8 10.7
2005 1348 72.2 18.7 13.2
2006 1379 71.1 19.4 15.3
2007 1297 74.5 17.4 18.9
2008 1342 72.9 18.4 18
2009 1304 75.2 17.3 20.2
2010 1293 72.6 17.8 19.5
2011 1292 66.1 19.5 21.1
2012 1315 62.4 21.0 22.7
2013 1369 62.4 21.9 22.9
2014 1380 65.6 21.0 21.8
2015 1386 63.0 22.0 22.5
2016 1374 62.0 22.1 21.8
2017 1350 64.4 20.9 21
2018 1315 61.0 21.5 27.8
2019 1290 59.5 21.6 24.9
2020 1265 60.2 20.9 26.5
2021 1262 62.1 20.2 26.9
2022 1289 60.0 21.4 27.2
2023 1252 61.4 20.3 30.7

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 Portage Northern High School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $320 (2.9%) $10,834 (97.1%) $11,153
2020 $335 (3.1%) $10,570 (96.9%) $10,906
2021 $571 (5.0%) $10,940 (95.0%) $11,511
2022 $755 (6.3%) $11,273 (93.7%) $12,028
2023 $880 (6.4%) $12,813 (93.6%) $13,693

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Portage Northern 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 55th of 666 High schoolsRanks 104th of 735 High schools
 5.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade Social Studies (Portage Northern High School)6745
 22%
   11th Grade Social Studies (Portage Public Schools)60.340.5
 19.8%
   11th Grade Social Studies (Michigan)46.636.1
 10.5%
11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Portage Northern High School)75.575.8
 0.3%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Portage Public Schools)74.371.9
 2.4%
   11th Grade Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (Michigan)55.352.2
 3.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Portage Northern High School)56.243.4
 12.8%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Portage Public Schools)5742.7
 14.3%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Michigan)36.329.9
 6.4%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students12901252
 2.9%
African American93106
 14%
American Indian32
 33.3%
Asian9473
 22.3%
Hispanic89108
 21.3%
Pacific Islander01
White898837
 6.8%
Two or More Races113125
 10.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients24.9%30.7%
 5.8%


Schools Near Portage Northern High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Portage Northern High School

Portage Northern High School ranks 132nd of 743 Michigan high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,252 students attended Portage Northern High School.

Portage Northern High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Angling Road Elementary School
Elementary : Haverhill Elementary School
Middle : Portage North Middle School

Students at Portage Northern High School are 67% White, 10% Two or more races, 9% Hispanic, 8% African American, 6% 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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