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Portage Public Schools

Portage Northern High School

#1 in Best Public High Schools in Kalamazoo Area
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • Public
  • 9-12
  • Portage, MI
  • 195 reviews
A
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Academics
    A
  2. Diversity
    B+
  3. Teachers
    A+
  4. College Prep
    A-
  5. Clubs & Activities
    A-
  6. Health & Safety
    B
  7. Administration
    A
  8. Sports
    A
  9. Food
    A-
  10. Resources & Facilities
    B
View Full Report Card
Portage Northern High School is a highly rated, public school located in Portage, MI. It has 1,374 students in grades 9-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 22 to 1. According to state test scores, 54% of students are at least proficient in math and 78% in reading.
About Portage Northern High School...
School District
Portage Public Schools
View Nearby Homes
Address
1000 Idaho Ave
Portage, MI 49024
Telephone
(616) 323-5400
Website
portageps.org

Portage Northern High School Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

Academics

Percent Proficient - Reading
78%
Percent Proficient - Math
54%
Average Graduation Rate
93%
Average SAT
1200
139 responses
Average ACT
28
115 responses
AP Enrollment
15%
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Living in the Area
A
Overall Niche Grade
How are grades calculated?
  1. Cost of Living
    B+
  2. Good for Families
    A+
  3. Housing
    A-
Area Feel
Suburban
Median Household Income
$60,260
National
$55,322
Median Rent
$757
National
$949
Median Home Value
$153,800
National
$184,700

Culture & Safety

Health & Safety
B
Based on chronic student absenteeism, suspensions/expulsions, and survey responses on the school environment from students and parents.
Poll
94%
of students agree that they feel safe at their school.18 responses
Poll
89%
of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there.18 responses
Poll
What are your favorite school events or traditions?
Based on 59 responses
Report
  • PN vs PC football game
    24%
  • Homecoming events
    22%
  • Talent show
    14%
  • Dances
    10%
  • Musicals
    10%
  • Sporting events
    7%
  • Latin club
    3%

Students

Diversity
B+
Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.
Students
1,374
Free or Reduced Lunch
22%
95%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive.21 responses
90%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy.21 responses
95%
of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic.21 responses

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
National
17:1
Average Teacher Salary
$59,501
Teachers in First/Second Year
8.6%
78%
of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons.27 responses
89%
of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students.27 responses
93%
of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom.27 responses

Clubs & Activities

Clubs & Activities
A-
Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.
Girls Athletic Participation
Very Low
Boys Athletic Participation
Low
Expenses Per Student
$10,320/ year
National
$12,239
91%
of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in.32 responses
47%
of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need.32 responses
72%
of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations.32 responses
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Portage Northern High School Reviews

195 reviews
All Categories
I am proud to be a Portage Northern Huskie. There are numerous clubs available for people of diverse interests, beliefs, and backgrounds; overall, it is an inclusive environment. Northern is also one of the few schools in Michigan that teach IB Latin as a course. Our school newspaper, the Northern Wipe, is both entertaining and refreshing with its interview, jokes, positive encouragement, and up-to-date news. I feel thoroughly challenged by IB courses, and have maintained a close relationship with my counselor about my future for the past four years. Our media center also provides lots of privileged online resources such as JSTOR for in-depth research. Unfortunately, I have heard average comments about the cafeteria food, and given the circumstances, Northern has a procedure for school-shootings that I wish were not necessary. However, the teachers are role models in life for most of us. Lastly, the grandeur of our school spirit at rallies and sports games would be difficult to beat!
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Portage Northern High School is an extremely good high school. The majority of the teachers show over-the-top enthusiasm, making sure that their students are focused on the discussion. The building itself is fairly large, but it is very easy to get used to navigation there. Each floor is somewhat organized by class type. On the athletic side, Portage Northern High School provides great opportunities. They have great programs with incredible athletes that are ready to crush it in college athletics. If possible, what I would change about this school, as well as others, would be the start and end times of school. Classes start at 7:40 and end at 2:57. These times are extremely awkward, compared to how they used to be.
The school is a very average in certain areas such as administration, diversity, clubs, safety, and administration. But what does add attraction to the school is the fact that the school is IB certified meaning that students have the potential to earn the very prominent International Baccalaureate degree. While the sports teams do appears to have been going through some recent hard times. But the football team will be kicking off a brand new football stadium which is the buzz of the community with other new facilities such as an aquatic center and a baseball field. The resources that the school has is exceptional due to the fact that the school library has many educational and reliable research tools that take advantage of the internet.