Serving 1,218 students in grades 9-12, Portage Northern High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Michigan for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 43% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 34%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70% (which is higher than the Michigan state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Michigan state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the Michigan state average of 37% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,218 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 35%
- Graduation Rate: 96% (Top 5% in MI)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 43% (Top 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 70% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 46% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Portage Northern High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Michigan for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Portage Northern High School's student population of 1,218 students has declined by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 62 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,218 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
62 teachers
Year Founded
1965
School Rankings
Portage Northern High School ranks within the top 20% of all 3,069 schools in Michigan (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Portage Northern High School is 0.55, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#531 out of 3069 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
43%
34%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
38%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
1%
Asian
6%
4%
Hispanic
9%
9%
Black
10%
18%
White
65%
63%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
10%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
96%
81%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
28%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), MI Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Huskies
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Portage Northern High School's ranking?
Portage Northern High School is ranked #531 out of 3,069 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Michigan.
What schools are Portage Northern High School often compared to?
Portage Northern High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Portage Central High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
43% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 34% MI state average), while 70% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% MI state average).
What is the graduation rate of Portage Northern High School?
The graduation rate of Portage Northern High School is 96%, which is higher than the Michigan state average of 81%.
How many students attend Portage Northern High School?
1,218 students attend Portage Northern High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
65% of Portage Northern High School students are White, 10% of students are Black, 10% of students are Two or more races, 9% of students are Hispanic, and 6% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Portage Northern High School?
Portage Northern High School has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Michigan state average of 17:1.
What grades does Portage Northern High School offer ?
Portage Northern High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Portage Northern High School part of?
Portage Northern High School is part of Portage School District.
In what neighborhood is Portage Northern High School located?
Portage Northern High School is located in the Crossroad Park neighborhood of Portage, MI. There are 5 other public schools located in Crossroad Park.
School Reviews
Review Portage Northern High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles

Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.

Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.

Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.