The top reported proficiency rate is 50% in Social studies. The lowest is 21% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Le White Middle School
LEWhite Middle School sits in Allegan, a small city that serves as the county seat of Allegan County. The town wraps around the Kalamazoo River, with a historic downtown of specialty shops, breweries, restaurants, and a one-screen movie theater. Schools and civic life are woven together here rather than separated on sprawling campuses. All of Allegan Public Schools' buildings sit within a mile of the city limits, so families dropping off at LE White are moving through the same streets where county government, the hospital, and downtown commerce operate side by side.
The school serves grades six through eight and has an enrollment that is moderate for a middle school, with roughly comparable class sizes across the three grades. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which reflects the working-class character of the community. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller Hispanic, Black, multiracial, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Asian populations. IEP and English learner counts were not reported in the available data, so those pictures of student support are incomplete here.
On state assessments, the most recent results paint a mixed academic portrait. Math proficiency is the softest area. Sixth-grade math proficiency sits below the levels families might hope for, and while seventh and eighth grade show modest gains, the numbers remain low across the board. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly what intervention structures are in place for students who arrive behind grade level. English language arts tells a different story. Sixth and seventh grade ELA proficiency sits in a middling range, but eighth grade ELA, measured through the PSAT, jumps to a strong level. Science and social studies proficiency in eighth grade both land near the middle, with roughly half of tested students reaching proficiency in each.
Compared with other districts in Allegan County, LE White's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades falls below the midpoint. The county's districts range widely, and this school sits in the lower portion of that spread. This is a factual marker of where the school stands academically relative to its neighbors, not a final verdict on what the school offers.
Because LE White is a middle school, there is no graduation rate to report, and that metric does not apply to this grade band. Chronic absenteeism data was not available, and discipline, course access, staffing, and attendance details were not reported in the sources reviewed. Program offerings were also not provided, so families interested in electives, clubs, athletics, or specialized supports should contact the school directly.
The housing market in Allegan is relatively affordable compared with both state and national benchmarks. Home values sit below the Michigan median and well below the national figure, and recent year-over-year appreciation has been strong. For families considering a move, the price-to-income ratio suggests that purchasing a home here is more attainable than in many parts of the state. Rent data was not available. The local economy is anchored by Perrigo Company, a major manufacturer of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, along with Ascension Borgess Allegan hospital and Allegan County government. Highland Industrial Park has grown over the past decade, and additional manufacturers are positioned to add jobs.
At the district level, Allegan Public Schools is in the midst of bond-funded improvements, including construction of a new elementary learning community. Capital spending has been recorded in recent fiscal years, financed through property taxes. While these projects are concentrated at the elementary level, they reflect a district making tangible facilities investments that shape the broader school environment feeding into LE White.
For a family weighing LE White, the school offers a conventional public middle school experience in a compact, riverfront county seat where housing is accessible and community life is concentrated. The academic results show real strength in eighth-grade ELA and solid eighth-grade science and social studies, alongside persistent weakness in math that deserves attention. The missing pieces in the data, from IEP rates to program offerings to absenteeism, mean a fuller picture will require a conversation with the school itself.
See more original research from School Decision →