HOUGHTON LAKE, MI – October 20, 2026 – Houghton Lake Jr./Sr. High School has earned recognition in Michigan as part of the 2027 Best Middle Schools rankings published by U.S. News & World Report.
The annual rankings recognize public schools across the nation for their academic achievement and educational effectiveness. This year's rankings include approximately 46,000 public elementary schools and more than 24,000 public middle schools nationwide. Schools are ranked at the state and district levels, with charter schools also evaluated in a separate category.
The ranking methodology evaluates student performance in mathematics and reading/language arts across all proficiency levels. Rankings are based on publicly available data collected from state education agencies by RTI International, along with information from the U.S. Department of Education.
The evaluation considers student demographics to measure both overall academic achievement and school effectiveness. Student-teacher ratios are used to break ties in overall scores.
“The schools that rank highly in the 2027 Best Elementary and Middle Schools stand out because they meet high academic standards backed by robust data,” said Eric Brooks, U.S. News director of education data analysis. “This distinction reflects a school's proven ability to foster learning environments where students thrive.”
Houghton Lake Community Schools is proud of this recognition and the continued efforts of our students, teachers, support staff, and families. Their dedication to academic growth, student achievement, and educational excellence helps create opportunities for our students to succeed.
Families and community members are encouraged to explore the rankings, compare schools, and learn more about the evaluation process by visiting the U.S. News & World Report Best Middle Schools website.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is a global media company that provides independent journalism, data-driven rankings, analysis, and consumer advice to help individuals and organizations make informed decisions. For more than 90 years, U.S. News has provided information on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, careers, and other topics through its website, USNews.com.
