District Overview
Portage Schools, established in 1922, has more than 8,600 students for the 2011-2012 school-year. The District, which serves residents in the City of Portage, and parts of Texas and Pavilion Townships, and a small portion of the City of Kalamazoo, consists of 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 2 comprehensive high schools, and Community High School.

Check out our District and school annual reports. For comparative information, including test scores for our District and other area school districts, check out the Standard & Poors school evaluation website "School Matters": http://www.schoolmatters.com/

The Magic of Learning
Portage Schools enjoys an extraordinary reputation as a place for outstanding teachers and involved parents to help their students discover the magic of learning and graduate with the education necessary for happy and productive lives and successful careers.

The District’s vision statement is “Portage Public Schools will empower every student to contribute intelligently and ethically in an information rich, global society.”

2011-2012 Honors

▪ Daniall Poulsen was named 2011 Outstanding Earth Science Educator by the Michigan Earth Science Teachers Association. 

2010-2011 Honors

▪ Northern and Central High Schools ranked among top high schools in the nation by The Washington Post, with Northern also ranked on the Newsweek list of top schools.

8 elementary, 3 middle schools, and both Northern and Central High School received the grade of "A" on the Michigan school report card for the previous year.

▪ Northern High's Media Center was selected as the top school media center in Michigan and in the top 35 nationwide by the American Association of School Librarians.

▪ The District's Business Office won the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 6th consecutive year by the Association of School Business Officials. They also received the Certificate of Achievement in Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 5th consecutive year.

2009-2010 Honors

▪ Newsweek Magazine's "Top of the Class" national ranking for the school year includes Northern and Central in the top 6% of high schools across the country.
 
▪ 7 National Merit Semi-Finalists

▪ 24 Advanced Placement Scholars

▪ State Championship in Forensics (Northern High), bringing the District total to 48.

▪ Michigan Teacher of the Year for Business Education for 2009 was awarded to Northern High School's Amy Meyer by the Michigan Business Education Association.

▪ Coach of the Year for Forensic/Speech from the Michigan Speech Coaches went to Central High's Theresa Mills.

▪ Kathy Mirakovits, of the Northern science faculty, is the co-author of the new 2010 textbook Forensic Science: The Basics.

▪ Central High's Debate team won the Great Midwest Novice Nationals Legislative Debate Championship.

Continuing Excellence

Many "Firsts": First school district in the state to have its high schools accredited with the International Baccalaureate program, first area district to offer an online education program, first area district with Parent Internet Viewer, and the first area district to have all schools wireless.

Half of all of our high school juniors and seniors take International Baccalaureate classes.

Our students, grades 3-12, continue to score in the 90th percentile, rating above state and national averages at each grade level and in each subject area and 90-93% of our seniors pursue college.  Faculty members have earned national certification, presented at state and national conferences, published articles in professional publications, and have won a variety of grants.                                                                                                                                                            
Updated September 10, 2011