The top reported proficiency rate is 44% in Science. The lowest is 8% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Harrison Middle School
Harrison Middle School is a regular public school serving grades six through eight in Harrison, Michigan, the Clare County seat. It sits on a consolidated campus southwest of downtown, alongside Harrison High School and Larson Elementary. The campus itself is relatively new in its current form. Publicly reported plans note that Harrison Community Schools unified its educational facilities at this location after expanding Larson Elementary, with voter-approved upgrades also reaching the middle and high school buildings. The community around it is small and rooted in lumber-town history, positioned among numerous lakes that draw seasonal visitors. Harrison functions as both a residential community and a recreation destination, with Wilson State Park, the Clare County Fairgrounds, and Budd Lake shaping local life. Housing here is quite affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, and the area has attracted retirees and second-home owners, which contributes to a noticeable seasonal vacancy in housing.
The school's enrollment is modest for a middle school serving three grades. A very large share of its students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, reflecting the economic conditions of the surrounding area. The student body is predominantly white, with small representations of Hispanic students and students of two or more races. Data on English learners and students with individualized education programs was not available, so those populations could not be characterized here.
Academic results from the most recent state assessments tell a mixed and, in some areas, concerning story. Math proficiency is low across all three grades, with only a small fraction of sixth and seventh graders reaching proficiency and the eighth grade results somewhat higher but still modest. English language arts shows a striking pattern. Sixth and seventh grade proficiency rates are low, while eighth grade proficiency jumps to a level where a majority of students meet or exceed the standard. Eighth grade science and social studies results land in a middle range, with roughly two-fifths of students proficient in each subject. Taken together, the school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades places it below the midpoint among districts in Clare County. A parent may want to look into this further with the school, particularly regarding the sharp divergence between grade levels in English language arts and the consistently low math results. No multi-year trend data was available, so it is not possible to say whether these patterns are improving, stable, or declining over time.
The most consequential fact about Harrison Middle School for any family considering it is that the school is slated to close. Publicly reported coverage indicates that the Harrison Community Schools board voted in March to shutter the middle school beginning with the next school year, citing a budget deficit, declining enrollment, and state funding reductions. Under the approved plan, sixth graders will consolidate into the elementary school, and seventh and eighth graders will move into the high school building. This means the middle school as a standalone institution will no longer exist, and families should expect their children to be served in reconfigured grade arrangements within other district buildings.
Because Harrison Middle School does not serve high school grades, it has no graduation rate, and that metric does not apply here. No data on chronic absenteeism, course access, staffing levels, discipline, or Title I status was available. The absence of these figures limits the picture of school climate and student support. Clare County has a small number of districts, and within that limited set the school sits below the middle on overall proficiency.
For families already in the district, the practical question is less about whether this school is the right fit and more about what the reconfigured grade spans at the elementary and high school buildings will look like. The district recently secured voter approval to restore its non-homestead operating millage, which funds day-to-day operations. How those resources translate into support for the displaced middle schoolers will likely shape the transition.
See more original research from School Decision →