7209 Balfour Dr
Portage, MI 49024

I have one son who attends this school and I could not be happier. They principal and staff have been very supportive of my son. He and I are both having a great experience.

We chose this school for our kids because it offered challenge to our college bound kids. They all have graduated from Portage Northern High School. My kids have attended college or about to finish. One has a Master’s Degree in Economics & finishing a Respiratory Therapy Degree. Another has Registered Nursing Degrees and works as a coronary care nurse in a intensive coronary care unit and is about to start her PhD in Nurse Anestheseology. Another completed his MBA at Wayne State and works for Department of Defense. Finally, my youngest is a practicing Corporate Lawyer. All had a good foundation in their beginning years of Education. Portage Northern teachers and the implementation of the curriculum resulted in some very successful assets to our community and country. Thanks Portage Northern High School and GO HUSKIES!

In my opinion, Portage Public Schools has significant organizational and leadership problems. I do not believe the district adequately recognizes or values strong employees. I have concerns about the effectiveness of district leadership, including the superintendent and the Human Resources department, and I question whether decision-making is being handled transparently and in the best interests of staff and students.The district faces competition for enrollment from neighboring school systems, including Kalamazoo Public Schools. From my perspective, Kalamazoo appears to have leadership that is making a stronger impact on student outcomes and community engagement.I am also concerned about student achievement. Some students appear to struggle with reading, writing, and basic math skills, and I believe the district should place a greater emphasis on academic accountability. While teachers often advocate for higher compensation, I believe discussions about pay should also consider student performance and educational outcomes.I have concerns that some accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 Plans may not always promote long-term independence and learning. Additionally, bullying and student behavior issues do not always seem to be addressed effectively, which can negatively affect the school environment.Student attendance and punctuality policies also appear to be inconsistently enforced. When students arrive late without consequences, classroom instruction can be disrupted and learning may suffer.Finally, I believe there is too much emphasis on teaching to standardized tests rather than developing broader academic and life skills. As a result, some students may graduate without being fully prepared for college, careers, or independent adulthood.